cy 


THE  LIBRARIES 


Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 

1860-1945 


REV.  JAMES  STACY,  D.  D. 

Pastor  Presbyterian  Church,  Newnan,  Ga.,  forty-three  years,  Stated 
Clerk  of  Synod  of  Georgia  thirty-three  years,  and 
Author  of  this  History. 


A 

History 

of  the 

Presbyterian  Church 

in 

Georgia 
by 

REV^  JAMES  STACY,  D.  D* 

A  Member  of  the  Synod  and  for  Thirty-Three  Years 
its  Stated  Clerk 


Mark  X.VI.   \o,--Oc  ye  ^.ntc  all  the  world, 
and  preach  the  oocpe'^  i<j  everij  creature. 


/C  '/fj'C. 


To  the 
SYNOD  OF  GEORGIA. 

At  whose  instance 

this  work  was  undertaken; 

And  as  a  token  of  grateful  appreciation 

of  the  many  acts  of  kindness  and  courtesy 

shown  the  Author  by  the  entire  body, 

both  in  his  private  and 

official  character, 

Is  this  volume  most  affectionately 

INSCRIBED. 


Contents 


CHAPTER  I. 

Settlement    of    the    Colony.    Religious    Condition  of    the 

Province.  Different  Denominations. 

CHAPTER  II. 
First  Presbyterians.  Scottish  Highlanders.  Midway  Church. 
Independent  Church,  Savannah.  Brier  Creek.  Waynes- 
borough. 

CHAPTER  III. 
Presbytery  of  Hopewell.   Ministers.   Churches.  First  Meet- 
ing, Presbytery  of  Harmony;   Georgia;   Savannah; 
Flint  River;   Cherokee. 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Synod  of  Georgia.  Athens  Presbytery.   Transfer  of  Savan- 
nah  Presbytery,  Division  of  the  Synod. 

CHAPTER  V. 
Internal  Development.  Presbyterianism  in  Atlanta,  Savan- 
nah, Augusta,  Macon.  Columbus.  Presbyterianism  in 
the  Country.  Camp  Meetings. 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Education.  Denominational  Schools. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Oglethorpe  University. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
University    Scheme.    Recent   Efforts. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

Female  Colleges.  Greensboro.   Griffin.  Rome.  Agn-ji   Scott. 

CHAPTER  X. 
Presbyterial  High  Schools. 


CHAPTER  XI. 
Hindrances;  War  Period,  Controversy. 

CHAPTER  XII. 
New  Schoolism.  Presbytery  of  Etowah.  Chattahoochee. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Block  Controversy.  Fashionable  Amusements.  Dancing. 

CHAPTER  xiv. 

Evolution.  • 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The    Great    Commission.    Home    Missions. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Foreign  Missions. 

^  CHAPTER  XVII. 

Work  Among  the  Colored  People. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Theological  Seminary. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Religious  Journals. 

CHAPTER   XX. 
Presbyterian  Hospital. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Retrospect. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Sketches   and  Incidents. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Final  Outlook. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Appendix. — Statistics   of     Presbyteries.     Athens.   Atlanta. 

Augusta.     Cherokee.     Macon.     Savannah. 

Moderators.  Clerks. 


PREFACE. 


At  the  meeting  of  Hopewell  Presbytery,  August  1827, 
at  Decatur,  Ga.,  Drs.  Cummins,  Waddell  and  Brown  w^ere 
appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  Southern  States,  and  especially  in 
this  state. 

At  the  meetings  in  1829,  both  in  April  and  August 
they  "reported  progress,"  but  we  find  nothing  beyond  this. 

In  1836  the  Synod  of  Georgia  appointed  Dr.  John  S. 
Wilson,  the  stated  clerk,  "to  prepare  Biographical  sketches 
of  its  deceased  ministers,"  which  were  prepared  and  pub- 
lished afterwards.  (See  Necrology).  As  introductory  to 
this  work,  he  also  prepared  a  short  sketch  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  this  country,  and  more  particularly  in 
this  state  in  which  many  facts  connected  with  its  early 
history  have  been  preserved.  He  also  states  that  he  had 
gathered  up  quite  a  large  collection  of  items  with  a  view 
ot  preparing  a  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Geor- 
gia; but  that  these  were  all  destroyed  with  the  burning  of 
his  library  by  the  Northern  army  during  the  late  civil  war. 

At  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  at  Griffin,  November  1905, 
the  writer  was  requested  to  prepare  a  "History  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Georgia,"  and  upon  which,  as  opportuni- 
ty offered,  has  since  been  engaged.  But  having  been  called 
to  this  work  so  late  in  life,  (in  his  76th  year)  and  in  view 
of  sickness  and  other  interferences  he  feels  that  all  that 
he  has  been  able  to  do  has  been  simply  to  gather  out  some 
materials  for  the  future  Historian.  These  are  now  offered, 
and  with  the  prayer  that  they  may  be  of  some  help  to  him 
who  shall  hereafter  undertake  this  work. 

Newnan,  Ga. 


EDITOR'S  EXPLANATION. 


Since  the  Synod  requested  my  uncle,  Dr.  Stacy,  to  un- 
dertake the  preparation  of  this  History,  he  has  frequently 
consulted  with  me  about  it,  and  as  I  could  find  opportun- 
ity, I  have  tried  to  be  of  some  service  to  him  in  gathering 
and  preparing  the  material.  Most  of  it  has  been  read  by 
us  together;  discussed,  and  in  many  instances  revised. 
We  have  had  many  warm  but  friendly  arguments  over  the 
opinions  expressed  in  the  book,  with  some  of  which  I 
agreed,  while  others  I  contested,  but  all  the  while  claim- 
ing that  his  province  as  Historian  was  simply  to  state 
facts,  and  not  to  express  opinions.  Finally  he  partially  ac- 
cepted this  view,  and  omitted  some  and  modified  others. 
But  even  his  great  wish  to  complete  the  work  was  not 
proof  against  the  ravages  of  age  and  disease,  and  on  his 
death  bed,  almost  the  last  intelligible  sentence  he  utter- 
ed was  his  request  that  I  complete  and  publish  this  His- 
tory. This  I  promised  to  do,  and  I  have  honestly  tried  to 
keep  my  promise.  But  my  part  of  the  work  has  necessar- 
ily been  done  in  the  midst  of  a  busy  round  of  Pastoral  and 
Evangelistic  work,  and  I  realize  that  it  is  far  from  per- 
fect. Had  Dr.  Stacy  been  spared  a  year  longer,  the  work 
would  have  been  spared  my  errors.  As  it  is,  it  is  incom- 
plete, but  I  have  done  the  best  I  could  with  the  insufficient 
data  available.  It  has  been  a  labor  of  love  for  the  Church, 
and  I  trust  it  may  be  received  with  that  spirit  of  apprec- 
iation of  his  work  and  forgiveness  for  mine  that  alone 
will  make  it  acceptable.  The  honor  of  authorship,  like 
the  opinions,  are  his;  the  mistakes  are  mine. 

C.  I.   STACY. 
Elberton,  Ga.,  June,  1912. 


History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Georgia^ 


CHAPTER  I. 


INTRODUCTION 

It  ought  to  be  a  matter  of  thanksgiving  to  every  Christ- 
ian that  the  religious  element  was  not  overlooked  in  the 
early  planting  of  the  colony  of  Georgia.  The  Trustees, 
many  of  whom  were  distinguished  clergymen  of  the  Church 
of  England,  seemed  as  solicitous  about  the  spiritual  inter- 
ests of  the  early  colonists,  as  their  temporal  welfare;  as 
appears  from  the  care  manifested  in  the  selection  of  suit- 
able emigrants,  (Note  1),  the  number  of  Bibles,  Prayer 
Books,  and  works  of  a  religious  nature,  included  in  the 
first  cargo,  as  well  as  the  number  of  Missionaries  sent 
out  at  different  times,  under  their  auspices,  and  at  their 
expense. 

It  is  also  worthy  of  note,  that  all  the  early  colonies  took 
with  them  ministers,  thus  recognizing  the  great  truth,  that 
religion  constitutes  an  essential  requisite  in  the  success- 
ful founding  of  a  nation.  With  the  first  colony  under  Ogle- 
thorpe in  1733,  came  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Herbert.  With  the 
second  colony  of  Saltzburgers,  who  arrivt^d  in  1734,  we  find 
Rev.  Messrs.  Bolzius  and  Gronau.  With  the  third  colony 
of  Moravians,  who  settled  above  Savannah,  in  1735.  was 
Rev.  Gottleib  Spangenberg.  With  -the  fourth  colony,  of 
Scottish  Highlanders,  who  came  over  in  January  of  the 
same  year,  and  settled  at  Darien,  came  Rev.  John  McLeod. 
With  the  fifth  embarkation,  of  Saltzbergers  and  Moravians, 
in  1736,  known  as  the  "great  embarkation,"  with  whom 
Oglethorpe  returned,  were  the  Wesleys,  John  and  Charles. 


Note  (1).  Ga.  His.  Soc.  Vol.  II.  281.  Jones'  His. 


2         THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

In  addition  to  these  there  were  others  who  came  over 
at  different  times,  and  on  different  occasions.  Among  them 
may  be  mentioned,  Rev.  Dr.  Burton,  chaplain  to  Ogle- 
thorpe's regiment,  in  1738;  Rev.  John  Ulrich  Driesler,  pas- 
tor of  the  Church  of  SaHzbergers  organized  at  St.  Simon's 
1743;  George  Whitfield  who  came  over  the  same  year, 
who  preached  in  Savannah  and  other  places,  and  estab- 
lished an  Orphan's  Home  at  Bethesda;  Rev.  Mr.  Norris, 
appointed  by  the  Trustees  as  Missionary  to  St.  Simon's, 
and  as  successor  to  Mr.  Wesley;  Rev.  Christopher  Orton, 
as  minister  to  Savannah  in  1741,  and  afterwards  Rev. 
Thomas  Bosomworth  as  his  successor;  still  later  Rev.  Bar- 
tholomew Zouber-bughler  at  Savannah  in  1746;  and  Rev. 
Jonathan  Copp  in  1751  as  missionary  at  Augusta.  All  sup- 
ported in  whole,  or  in  part  by  the  Trustees. 

Thus  it  would  seem  that  the  colony,  for  the  first  twenty 
years,  while  under  the  Trustees,  was  outwardly  at  least, 
supplied  with  ministers  and  the  means  of  grace;  and  yet 
it  appears  from  various  causes,  among  which  may  be  men- 
tioned the  general  low  state  of  the  country,  as  well  as  in 
some  cases  the  unsuitableness,  if  not  the  unfaithfulness,  of 
her  ministers,  the  cause  of  Christianity  and  religion  made 
little  or  no  progress.  Indeed  the  outlook  at  the  end  of 
those  twenty  years  w^as  anything  but  encouraging.  The 
Saltzburgers  at  St.  Simon's  Island  had  become  extinct  on 
the  death  of  their  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Driesler,  in  1745,  and  the 
disbanding  of  Oglethorpe's  regiment  in  1749.  The  Church 
of  the  Scottish  Highlanders,  at  Darien,  had  likewise  become 
disorganized,  by  reason  of  the  decimation  of  its  ranks,  and 
the  removal  of  its  pastor.  Rev.  John  McLeod,  to  South  Car- 
olina, in  1741.  The  Wesleys,  for  lack  of  success,  and  on 
account  of  opposition,  had  returned  to  England.  Rev. 
Mr.  Norris  had  left  Savannah  under  a  cloud.  The  Mora- 
vians, after  two  years  had  abandoned  their  settlement 
above  Savannah,  and  gone  to  Pennsylvania,  because  sum- 
moned to  bear  arms  against  the  Spaniards;  as  they  were 
opposed  to  war,  and.  as  they  said,  they  had  been  freed  by 
the  Trustees,  from  all  military  duty,  that  being  one  of  the 
conditions  of  their  coming  over  and  settling  in  the  prov- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA.         3 

ince.  The  church  edifice  commenced  in  Savannah  in  1741, 
twelve  years  before,  was  still  in  an  unfinished  state.  With 
the  exception  of  the  Saltzburgers  at  Ebenezer,  the  rest  of 
the  province  seemed  to  be  in  a  very  impoverished  condi- 
tion, both  temporally  and  spiritually.  The  population  in- 
stead of  increasing  had  commenced  growing  less.  The  peo- 
ple were  becoming  discouraged;  mutterings  of  discontent 
were  heard  on  every  side.  Predictions  of  failure  were 
even  indulged  in  by  some.  Indeed  the  state  of  the  prov- 
ince was  so  much  reduced  that  the  idea  of  subordination, 
If  not  of  actual  merging  into  Carolina,  became  a  theme 
for  conversation.     Note  (1.). 

After  twenty  years  of  honest  effort,  worried  and  har- 
assed beyond  measure,  the  Trustees  in  175:^  surrendered 
their  Charter  to  the  Crown,  and  John  Reynolds  was  ap- 
pointed Royal  Governor,  and  the  province  placed  under  the 
direction  of  the  Lords  Commissioners  for  Trade  and  Plan- 
tations. With  this  change  in  the  management,  also  came 
changes  in  the  policy  of  administration.  There  was  a 
change  in  the  form  of  title  to  land,  so  as  to  make  the 
ownership  absolute  and  complete.  There  was  also  the 
abrogation  of  the  laws  forbidding  the  introduction  of  slaves, 
and  the  importation  of  rum.  With  the  removal  of  these 
features  so  objectionable  to  many,  emigrants  began  to  pour 
in  from  Carolina  and  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  com- 
menced settling  in  the  interior  parts  of  the  State,  espe- 
cially in  Burke,  Jefferson  and  Wilkes  counties.  A  colony 
from  South  Carolina  with  their  pastor.  Rev.  John  Osgood, 
settled  in  St.  John's  Parish,  now  Liberty  county,  in  1753. 
With  increased  inducements  offered  by  the  State,  a  large 
colony  of  Scotch-Irish  settled  about  1768  on  the  Oconee 
river,  in  Jefferson  county,  about  three  miles  south  of  Louis- 
ville, at  a  place  they  called  "Queensborough,"  and  after- 
wards known  as  "Irish  Settlement."  Note  (1).  Likewise 
settlements  were  formed  in  Burke  county,  on  Brier  creek, 
to  which  Presbyterian  ministers  had  been  sent  from  the 
North.     In    addition    to   the    Episcopal    Church    known    as 

Note  (1).  Stevens,  I.  296. 


4         THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Christ  Church,  the  Independent  Church  had  been  set  up  in 
Savannah;  and  a  Church  established  in  Augusta,  known 
as  St.  Paul's  Church.  The  Saltzburgers  had  a  congrega- 
tion in  Savannah,  supplied  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Roberhorst  and 
Walton.  The  Baptists  had  also  commenced  work  in  Colum- 
bia county,  on  the  Kiokee  and  some  other  places.  The 
population  of  the  province,  which  in  1750  was  little  more 
than  3,000  had  now  more  than  doubled  itself. 

But  all  this  progress  and  improvement  were  suddenly 
arrested  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolution,  which  not 
only  brought  every  thing  to  a  stand  still,  but  well  nigh 
to  destruction,  especially  after  the  fall  of  Savannah  in  1778, 
wheS  the  British  overran  the  State.  St.  Paul's  Church  in 
Augusta  was  demolished,  the  building  destroyed  and  the 
congregation  dispersed.  The, country  of  the  Saltzburgers 
was  overrun  by  the  British  soldiers,  and  they  themselves 
scattered,  and  their  house  of  worship,  first  used  as  a  hos- 
pital, and  afterwards  as  a  stable,  by  the  British.  (Note  Scro- 
bel,  p.  206.)  The  settlements  in  Jefferson  and  Burke  coun- 
ties were  broken  up.  The  orphanage  at  Bethesda  was  aban- 
doned on  account  of  an  accidental  burning,  as  well  as  the 
death  of  Mr.  Whitfield,  a  few  years  before.  Christ's 
Church  in  Savannah  was  without  a  pastor.  So  the  Inde- 
pendent Prebyterian  Church  through  the  deflection  of  Dr. 
Zubly,  its  pastor,  was  also  in  a  destitute  condition.  The 
colony  in  Liberty  county  had  been  broken  up  and  their 
house  of  worship  burned,  and  the  pastor,  Rev.  Moses  Allen, 
being  taken  and  kept  as  a  prisoner  on  board  of  a  prison 
ship,  lost  his  life  in  the  attempt  to  secure  his  freedom  by 
swimming  to  the  shore.  The  Baptist  Churches  had  shared 
the  same  fate;  the  one  at  Kiokee,  on  the  present  site  of 
Applington,  founded  by  Rev.  Daniel  Marshall  in  1772,  the 
first  organized  by  that  denomination  in  the  State,  and  the 
one  at  New  Savannah,  below  Augusta,  gathered  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bottsford  about  1773,  had  both  been  abandoned. 
Note  (Campbell's  His.  p.  188-9.)  Indeed  there  was  not,  at 
the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  a  single  settled  pastor 
in  the  whole  province,  as  far  as  we  know.  So  Rev.  Archi- 
bald Simpson,  of  South  Carolina,  when  in  Savannah  on  his 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA         5 

way  to  Scotland  writes  under  date  of  May  3,  17S4.  "There 
is  at  present  no  minister  of  any  denomination  in  this  place; 
and  I  am  told  there  is  not  an  ordained  minister  in  the 
whole  State."  We  find  also  the  following  record  in  his 
journal  of  that  date:  "Visited  my  old  friend,  Mr.  Zubly's 
Meeting  House,  which  is  in  a  very  ruinous  condition,  and 
has  a  chimney  in  the  middle  of  it,  having  been  an  hospital." 
(Note  3.     Howe  I.  468.) 

With  the  return  of  peace,  however,  in  1783,  commenced 
the  work  of  rebuilding  the  material  interests  of  the  coun- 
try, as  well  as  the  re-establishment  of  the  Churches,  and 
renewal  of  Church  work.  The  Midway  people  returned  to 
their  homes  in  Liberty  county,  the  Saltzburgers  to  Elene- 
zer  and  the  Baptists  to  their  former  work.  The  Episcopal 
and  Independent  Churches  in  Savannah  were  repaired  and 
opened  for  service,  and  the  Church  at  Augusta  rebuilt,  and 
worship  renewed. 

In  addition  to  the  above  mentioned  denominations,  we 
may  add,  as  among  the  early  co  religionists,  of  the  land,  a 
colony  of  Israelites,  who  came  to  Savannah  in  1733,  soon 
after  the  arrival  of  Oglethorpe;  objections  being  raised 
most  of  them  removed,  leaving  several  families,  however, 
behind,  whose  descendants  are  still  in  the  state,  some  of 
whom  have  occupied  positions  of  honor  and  influence. 
There  was  also  a  small  colony  of  Quakers,  who  settled 
some  seven  miles  above  Augusta,  at  a  place  still  well 
known  as  "Quaker  City." 

Here  then,  were  the  religious  elements,  or  factors, 
entering  at  first  into  the  forces  and  destiny  of  the  country; 
viz;  Episcopalians,  Salzburgers  (Lutherans,  styled  "Salz- 
burgers"  from  Salzburg,  the  name  of  their  home  in  Aus- 
tria), Congregationalists,  Baptists,  a  few  Israelites,  and 
Quakers;  no  Methodists,  at  least  in  name,  but  strongly 
existing  in  its  incipient  germs,  till  a  few  years  later. 
Whitfield  died  a  suspended  minister  of  the  Methodist 
church  (suspended  for  not  using  the  forms  of  prayer,  in 
the  Book  of  prayer).  (1).  Neither  did  Wesley  withdraw 
from  the  Established  Church  till  the  separation  in  1785. 
According  to  Wesley,  Methodism  had  for  its  origin  three 


6    THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

distinct  periods.  "The  first  rise  of  Methodism,"  says  he, 
"was  in  1729,  when  four  of  us  met  together  at  Oxford.  The 
second  was  at  Savannah  in  1736,  when  twenty  or  thirty 
persons  met  at  my  house.  The  last  was  at  London,  on  this 
day,  May  1st,  1738,  when  forty  or  fifty  of  us  agreed  to  meet 
together  every  Wednesday  evening."  Savannah,  therefore, 
as  Stevens  says,  "may  be  regarded  as  the  birth  place  ol 
Methodism."  He  also  declares  it  to  be  a  little  remarkable 
that  of  the  few  young  men,  students  of  Oxford,  w'ho  gave 
rise  to  Methodism,  "four  of  them,  viz:  Rev.  John  Wesley,  ;i 
graduate  of  Lincoln  College,  Rev.  Charles  Wesley,  of  Christ 
College,  Rev.  Benjamin  Ingraham,  of  Queen's  College,  and 
George  Whitfield,  of  Pembroke  College,  should  visi^  and 
settle  in  Georgia,  and  three  of  them  have  the  care  of 
churches  in  the  colony.  (Stevens,  Vol.  I.  340).  The  true 
rise  of  Methodism,  proper,  however,  was  not  till  1785,  the 
year  of  the  separation  from  the  Church  of  England.  The 
first  and  only  regularly  appointed  Methodist  minister  in 
the  State  at  that  time,  was  the  Rev.  Beverly  Allen,  and 
the  field  to  which  he  was  appointed  being  simplv  "Georgia  " 
The  number  of  converts  reported  to  the  Conference  the 
next  year  being  "Seventy  Eight."  (Note  Min.  Conf.  p.  23, 
28). Neither  were  there  any  Roman  Catholics;  as  they  were 
not  allowed  in  the  province  till  the  adoption  of  the  new 
Constitution  in  1799.  (Watkins  Comp.  42).  Thei;'  first 
Church  being  at  Locust  Grove,  Taliaferro  county,- in  the 
year  1800.  (White's  statistics  p.  532.) 

But  the  thing  that  chiefly  concerns  us  is  the  rise,  prog- 
ress, and  development  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
State,  and  to  this  we  now  give  our  attention. 


CHAPTER  II. 


FIRST  PRESBYTERIANS. 

1st.  The  first  Presbyterians  we  meet  with,  as  already- 
stated,  were  the  Scottish  Highlanders,  who  settled  at 
Darien  in  1735  with  their  pastor.  Rev.  John  McLeod,  the 
first  Presbyterian  minister  in  the  State.  Oglethorpe,  desir- 
ous of  having  a  sort  of  bulwark  against  the  Spanish  inva- 
sion from  the  southland,  also  of  obtaining  a  more  substan- 
tial class  of  citizens,  than  many  who  had  already  come  sim- 
ply as  adventurers,  secured  a  colony  of  sturdy  Highlanders, 
who  with  John  Mcintosh,  Mohr,  as  head  of  the  Clan,  set- 
tled on  the  north  bank  of  the  Altamaha  river,  at  a  place 
they  called  "New  Inverness,"  after  the  place  of  their  ren- 
dezvous in  Scotland.  The  District  they  named  "Darien," 
after  the  Isthmus  of  that  name,  where  some  of  their  fore- 
fathers so  disastrously  attempted  the  founding  of  a  colony 
in  the  year  1680.  Their  number  being  greatly  depleted  by 
sickness,  and  also  the  Spanish  bullets  at  the  unfortunate 
assault  upon  Fort  Moosa  in  Florida,  in  1740,  the  Rev.  John 
McLeod,  their  pastor,  left  them  and  removed  to  Carolina 
in  1741,  after  which  the  colony  became  scattered.  Although 
disorganized  as  a  colony,  still  their  influence  was  not  lost. 
Among  them  were  several  prominent  names,  as  McKay, 
Dunbar,  Baillie,  Cuthbert  and  Mcintosh,  who  settled  upon 
the  coast,  and  whose  descendants  figured  largely  in  mould- 
ing the  after  history  of  the  State,  and  in  giving  prominence 
to  her  chivalry,  as  well  as  furnishing  material  for  Church 
membership.  Thus  we  find  the  name  of  Cuthbert,  not  only 
on  the  Council  under  Reynolds,  but  also  afterwards  in  the 
Halls  of  the  Nation,  and  likewise  among  the  list  of  our 
Georgia  towns;  Baillie,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Savannah,  in  1769.  We  also  note  the 
fact,  that  Gren.  John  Mcintosh  appears  in  the  Presbytery  of 
Georgia,  as  a  Ruling  Elder,  representing  the  Church  at 
Darien,  at  the  organization  of  said  Presbytery  in  December 
1821.    It  is  also  worthy  of  mention  that  Catherine  Mcintosh, 


8         THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  mother  of  Gov.  George  M.  Troiip,  was  the  daughter  of 
Captain  John  Mcintosh,  a  relative  of  John  Mcintosh, 
Mohr.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add  that  the  Mcintosh 
family  has  left  the  impress  of  its  name  and  deeds  upon 
one  of  the  counties  of  the  State,  after  whom  it  was  named. 

2.  The  second  planting,  and  afterwards  the  nursery 
and  stronghold  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  State  was  the  old 
MIDWAY  CHURCH,  Liberty  county,  which,  though  nomi- 
nally Congregational,  was  nevertheless  substantially,  Pres- 
byterian, so  understood  and  so  styled  in  common  parlance. 
As  she  has  used  the  treasury  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
for  the  transmission  of  her  Missionary  and  Elymosenary 
funds,  as  all  of  her  pastors  except  two,  have  been  Presby- 
terian ministers,  as  she  has  given  fifty  of  her  sons  and 
grandsons  to  the  Presbyterian  ministry,  and  as  in  the 
pangs  of  her  dissolution  she  has  given  birth  to  three 
white,  and  three  colored  Presbyterian  churches,  we  do  not 
hesitate  to  place  her  in  the  list  with  the  others.  Indeed  the 
history  of  Presbyterianism  in  'Georgia  would  simply  be  in- 
complete without  her  contribution.  This  will  appear  as 
we  further  proceed.  This  colony  came  from  Dorchester, 
S.  C,  in  1753,  and  '54  bringing  its  pastor,  Rev.  John  Osgood 
with  them. 

3.  The  third  point  occupied  by  Presbyterians,  at  this 
early  day,  was  the  CITY  OF  SAVANNAH.  As  early  as 
June  5,  1755  we  find  that  "forty-three  persons,  Dissenters 
from  the  Church  of  England,  and  professors  of  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  according  to  the  West- 
minister Confession  of  Faith,"  petitioned  the  Council  for  a 
lot  in  the  city  of  Savannah,  upon  which  to  erect  a  church 
building.  (Pub.  Col.  Rec.  183.)  The  petition  was  granted, 
and  the  next  year,  1756,  a  warrant  was  issued 
and  signed  for  the  same.  The  building  was  erected 
and  occupied  till  the  great  fire  in  1796.  (Idem  p.  313.)  The 
exact  date  of  the  organization  of  the  church  is  unknown; 
though  it  must  have  been  at  the  time,  or  soon  after  the 
erection  of  the  building.  It  soon  became  one  of  the  lead- 
ing churches  of  the  province,  and  still  maintains  its  organi- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA         9 

zation  and  prestige,  as  a  powerful  factor  in  upholding  the 
cause  of  religion  and  good  order. 

4.  The  fourth  point  occupied  by  Presbyterians  in  the 
State,  was  the  Church  or  group  of  churches  in  Burke 
county,  on  Brier  and  Beaver  Creeks,  which  like  the  Mid 
way  Church  though  Congregational  or  independent,  af 
filiated  with  the  Presbytery,  and  with  one  or  two  exceptions 
were  always  supplied  with  Presbyterian  ministers.  When 
or  by  whom  organized,  we  have  no  means  of  determining 
The  first  notice  we  find  of  them  is  in  the  Minutes  of  the 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  in  1766,  in  which 
"an  application  was  made  for  supplies  from  Brier  Creefe 
in  Georgia,";  and  Mr.  Lewis  and  others  appointed  to  "Visit 
North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  Georgia." 

In  addition  to  this  there  was  another  church  or  Congre- 
gation near  by  called  "Walnut  Creek."  In  1789,  a  petition 
for  supplies  was  made  to  Hopewell  Presbytery  for  Walnut 
Church  (Note)  and  the  Old  Church.  (The  old  church  no 
doubt  being  the  Brier  Creek  Church,  and  in  which  Bishop 
Asbury  preached  in  one  of  his  missionary  tours  in  1790) 
Vol  II.  P  67) 

These  two  churches  were  afterwards  united  and  re- 
moved to  the  town  of  Waynesboro,  in  1810;  and  from  that 
time  till  their  withdrawal  in  1840  known  as  the  "Presby 
terian  Church  of  Burke  County." 

Thus  the  Waynesboro  Church  may  be  considered  the 
legitimate  offspring,  if  not  the  actual  continuation  of  these 

(Note)  "Walnut  Creek  Church  was  situated  on  the 
creek  of  that  name  some  four  or  five  miles  West  from 
^'aynesboro.  Brier  Creek  Church  afterwards  called  "Old 
Church,"  was  situated  on  Brier  Creek  some  six  miles  North 
East  of  Waynesboro.  Its  site  is  now  occupied  by  a  negro 
church;  while  the  original  "Old  Church,"  first  Episcopal, 
then  Presbyterian;  on  being  abandoned  by  the  Presbyter- 
ians afterwards  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Methodists, 
with  its  glebe  of  thirty  acres  of  land.  They  now  hold  it; 
and  it  is  again  known  as  the  "Old  Church."  (MS  Letter  of 
Rev.  C.  I.  Stacy,  Pastor  Pres.  Church.) 


10       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

earlier  organizations;  and  therefore  one  of  the  few  ante- 
revolution  Churches  in  the  State.  Concerning  this  church, 
I  will  have  more  to  say  hereafter. 

Here  then  were  the  points  where  the  seeds  of  Pres- 
byterianism  were  first  planted  in  Georgia:  In  the  south- 
ern portion  at  Darien  and  the  Altamaha;  in  the  eastern  and 
middle,  at  Savannah,  and  the  Parish  of  St.  John  now  Lib- 
erty county;  and  in  the  northern,  in  the  counties  of 
Burke,  and  Jefferson.  And  although  a  great  deal  of  the 
seed  thus  sown,  seemed  lost,  yet  not  lost;  but  like  "the 
ashes  of  Wickliffe,  cast  into  the  Swift,  and  borne  by  that 
stream  into  the  Severn,  and  by  the  Severn,  carried  into 
the  broader  seas,  and  thence  into  the  mighfy  ocean;"  so 
this  seed  was  only  scattered  and  planted  in  different  places, 
afterwards  to  come  up,  and  to  yield,  some  thirty,  some 
sixty,  some  an  hundred  fold. 


CHAPTER  III. 


PRESBYTERIES. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  HOPEWELL. 

The  State  of  South  Carolina  was  settled  in  1670,  some 
sixty  three  years  before  the  landing  of  Oglethorpe  at  Yam- 
acraw.  The  Presbyterian  Church  therefore  was  established 
in  that  state  at  a  much  earlier  date  than  in  Georgia,  and 
through  its  emigrants  contributed  largely  to  the  building 
of  churches  in  the  latter.  The  Presbytery  of  Orange,  one 
of  the  original  sixteen  which  constituted  the  first  General 
Assembly,  formed  in  1788,  included  the  Carolinas  as  well  as 
the  State  of  Virginia.  From  this  Presbytery  was  formed 
in  1784,  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  which  also  in- 
cluded Georgia  in  its  territory.  The  upper  portion  of  South 
Carolina  being  largely  settled  by  Scotch  Irish  and  other 
Presbyterians,  these  together  with  emigrants  from  Penn- 
sylva  nia,  and  Virginia  began  soon  to  cross  over  the  Savan- 
nah River  into  the  middle  and  upper  parts  of  Georgia,  and 
to  form  settlements  in  the  counties  of  Columbia,  Oglethorpe 
and  Greene.  Churches  were  soon  planted,  and  supplied  by 
ministers  belonging  to  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina; 
notably  among  them,  the  Rev.  John  Newton,  and  Rev. 
Daniel  Thrasher,  (note  I)  the  first  regular  missionaries  and 

Note.  (1)  Rev.  Daniel  Thrasher  was  a  native  of  New- 
Jersey.  Licensed  and  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Orange,  in  1781;  received  into  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Carolina,  April  11,  1793,  labored  in  Georgia,  though  not 
wholly  and  with  much  success  in  organizing  several  of  the 
earlier  churches,  as  appears  from  his  letter  to  the  Presby- 
tery, in  which  he  gives  an  account  of  his  labors  in  1795.  He 
returned  to  New  Jersey  his  native  state,  and  accepted  a 
missionary  appointment,  under  the  General  Assembly,  in 
the  State  of  New  York  and  which  appointment  he  contin- 
ued to  fill  until  his  death.  He  was  dismissed  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Hudson  in  1796,  and  died  Aug.  1,  1797,  very  much 
lamented.  (Min.  Gen.  Ass.  P.  139) 


12       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

pioneers  into  the  State,  and  afterwards  by  Rev.  Messrs. 
Springer,  Cunningham,  Waddel  and  Montgomery,  who  soon 
gathered  Congregations  and  became  settled  pastors  over 
them. 

As  the  number  of  Churches  and  Ministers  increased,  it 
soon  became  apparent,  that  on  account  of  the  distance,  a 
new  and  independent  Presbytery  should  be  formed.  Accord- 
ingly upon  petition,  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas,  at  their 
meeting  at  Morganton,  N.  C,  Nov.  3rd.,  1796  divided  the 
Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  setting  off  the  portion  below 
the  Savannah  River  into  a  separate  and  independent  Pres- 
bytery, to  be  known  as  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  and  to 
be  composed  of  the  following  ministers,  and  all  the  church- 
es and  missions  belonging  to  the  old  Presbytery,  and  within 
the  State. 

Ministers. — John  Newton,  John  Springer,  Robt.  Cun- 
ningham, Moses  Waddel,  William  Montgomery 

The  Churches,  as  well  as  we  can  gather  them,  for  th« 
records  are  very  imperfect,  are  as  follows: 

Bethsalem,  Bethany,  Ebenezer,  Richmond,  Little  Brit- 
ian,  Siloam,  Bethlehem,  New  Hope,  Goshen,  Carmel,  Joppa, 
Providence,  Liberty,  Smyrna. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  seemed  to  have  been  several 
other  places  occupied  by  the  old  Presbytery,  but  whether 
organized  churches  that  had  now  become  extinct  or  mere 
preaching  places,  the  Records  do  not  show.  Some  of  the 
places  thus  indicated  were  Sharon,  Sherril's  Creek,  Furgus 
Creek,  Goose  Ponds,  Great  Kiokee,  Kettle  Creek,  Falling 
Creek,  Bethel,  and  "Concord  in  Wilkes  county,"  (Howe  I, 
659.)  It  is  probable  that  some  of  these  names  were 
changed,  as  in  the  case  of  several  other  instances,  and  of 
which  no  mention  is  made. 

FIRST  MEETING. 

In  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  the  Presbytery  held  its  first  meet- 
ing at  Liberty  Church  on  Thursday  March  16,  1797.  Rev. 
John  Springer  preached  the  opening  sermon  from  Luke  IV., 
18,  and  constituted  the  Presbytery  with  prayer,  and  was 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       13 

afterwards    chosen    Moderator,   and   Rev.    Moses     Waddel, 
Clerk. 

There  were  present  all  the  above  mentioned  ministers 
viz:  John  Newton,  John  Springer,  Robert  Cunningham, 
Moses  Waddel,  and  William  Montgomery,  and  the  follow- 
in  Elders:  James  Darrach  (Daniel)  from  Liberty,  Ezekiel 
Gilliam  from  Bethsalem,  Loderick  Tuggle,  from  Bethany, 
and  William  Calahan,  who  came  the  next  day,  from  Little 
Britian.  The  Records  do  not  give  the  names  of  any  of  the 
churches  except  that  of  Little  Britian.  In  other  places  and 
from  other  sources,  we  learn  what  churches  were  repre- 
sented. We  feel  almost  certain  that  the  name  of  "Daniel" 
should  be  substituted  for  that  of  "Darrach"  and  for  the  fol- 
lowing reasons:  (1)  There  is  no  evidence  that  there  ever 
was  an  Elder  in  the  Liberty  church  of  the  name  of  Darrach, 
or  even  a  family  of  that  name  in  the  community.  (2)  The 
name  occurs  no  where  else.  (3)  The  Daniel  family  being  a 
prominent  and  influential  one  in  the  church,  James  Daniel 
being  a  w^ell  known  elder  and  representing  the  church  a 
the  next  meeting  of  Presbytery,  as  the  Records  show.  (4) 
But  the  principal  reason  is  that,  we  have  only  the  copied 
Records  of  the  Presbytery.  Dr.  Waddel  was  Stated  Clerk, 
and  at  the  request  of  Presbytery  he  had  the  first  30  years 
copied;  this  copying  being  done  by  Maj.  Watkins  and  for 
which  sixty-five  dollars  were  paid;  as  the  Records  show. 
This  copying  was  done  in  1827  thirty  years  after  the  re- 
cord was  made.  And  it  is  very  easy  to  see  how  the  name 
of  "Darrach"  should  be  mistaken  by  the  copyist  for  "Daniel." 
on  an  old  and  time  worn  manuscript,  and  he  a  stranger  to 
the  parties,  and  with  nothing  to  guide  him  but  the  Man- 
uscript  of  Dr.  Waddel,  which  according  to  the  testimony  of 
his  own  son,  was  at  times  extremely  difficult  to  descipher- 
Dr.  John  Waddel,  in  his  "Academic  Memorials,"  says  of 
him,  (though  this  is  not  true  of  the  specimens  of  his  hand 
writing  we  have  seen,  which  are  remarkably  clear  and 
distinct.) 

"He  always  prepared  skeletons  on  very  small  sized 
leaves  of  paper  and  in  handwriting  so  diminutive,  and  with 
certain  hieroglyphics  of  his  own  adoption,  so  obscure  as  to 


14       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

be  almost  illegible  to  any  beside  himself.  There  are  still 
in  possession  of  some  of  his  living  friends  many  of  these 
briefs,  serving  only  as  relics  of  him,  but  not  answering  any 
farther  purpose,  by  reason  of  their  illegible  chirography." 
As  this  was  the  mother  Presbytery,  and  these  minis- 
ters and  churches,  the  early  seed  of  Presbyterianism  in  the 
state,  a  more  minute  and  particular  description  of  them 
would  be  interesting  and  eminently  befitting. 

PLACE  OF  MEETING. 

And  first  as  to  the  place  of  meeting.  Liberty  church 
where  the  Presbytery  met  was  so  called  because  allowed 
to  the  use  of  other  denominations,  and  selected  on  account 
of  its  central  position.  It  was  a  rough  house  built  of  logs, 
and  located  in  the  South-western  part  of  Wilkes  county, 
about  fourteen  miles  from  Washington,  and  seven  from 
Woodstock,  and  about  half  a  mile  from  "War  Hill"  where 
was  fought  the  battle  of  Kettle  Creek,  in  1790.  It  was  or- 
ganized soon  after  the  war  of  the  revolution,  by  the  Rev. 
Dan  Thatcher,  with  fifteen  or  twenty  members,  among 
them,  the  grand  father  of  Hon.  A.  H.  Stephens,  and  father 
of  Dr.  David  Finley  of  Montgomery,  Alabama,  with  Ruling 
Elders  James  Daniel  and  Archibald  Simpson.  (Simpson's 
Sketch,  Pres.  Com.  Pub.)  Rev.  John  Springer  was  the  first 
regular  minister.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Springer  in  1798, 
the  Church  was  supplied  for  a  short  time  by  Rev.  Robert 
M.  Cunningham,  who  w^as  then  also  supplying  Bethany. 
After  Mr.  Cunningham,  the  old  church  was  closed  for  a 
time.  The  old  building  in  the  mean  while  becoming  dilap- 
idated, a  new  house  was  erected  about  a  mile  South,  and 
its  name  changed  to  Salem.  The  Rev.  Francis  Cummins 
who  came  to  Georgia  from  South  Carolina  about  1803,  took 
charge  of  the  new  building  at  the  same  time  supplying 
Bethany  Church.  After  his  removal  to  Greensboro  in  1820 
the  church  was  without  a  minister  for  four  years.  In  1824, 
Rev.  Alexander  H  Webster,  who  then  had  charge  of  the 
Washington  Church  also  supplied  Salem.  After  the  death 
of  Mr.  Webster,  the  church  was  again  without  a  pastor, 
and  in  1828  several  members  and  families  withdrew  and 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       15 

organized  themselves  into  a  church  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Raytown,  being  too  remote  to  attend  regularly,  and  named 
the  new  church  South  Liberty,  being  south  of  the  Mother 
Church.  In  1832  Rev.  S.  J.  Cassels  being  called  to  the 
Washington  Church  preached  occasionally  at  Salem.  In 
1834  a  new  and  better  house  was  erected  at  the  junction  of 
the  Greensboro  and  Crawfordville  roads,  twelve  miles  from 
Washington.  The  membership  at  this  time  was  reduced  to 
seven.  In  1837,  Rev.  John  B.  Cassels,  the  brother  of  the 
Rev.  S.  J.  Cassels,  took  charge  of  the  church  and  also  open- 
ed a  day  school,  but  was  soon  cut  down  with  malarial 
fever.  After  his  death  Rev.  F.  R.  Goulding  supplied  the 
church  for  a  while.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Reid, 
who  was  teaching  and  preaching  at  Woodstock.  In  1847 
the  old  house  was  sold  to  the  Baptists  and  the  remaining 
membership  removed  to  Woodstock  into  which  the  church 
was  merged. 

Although  the  little  church  has  always  been  weak  in 
numbers,  yet  its  mission  has  not  been  a  failure.  The  fol- 
lowing ministers  have  gone  out  if  not  from  its  bosom,  at 
least  from  its  training  hand,  viz:  David  Finley,  B.  L.  Beall, 
R.  A.  Houston,  and  Robert  Milner,  and  others  who  have  re- 
ceived deep  and  lasting  impressions  from  its  moulding 
hand. 

It  is  also  worthy  of  remark  that  the  Penfield  church 
may  be  considered  an  offshoot  from  the  Woodstock  Church. 
Mr,  Johnson  Boswell  from  that  church  and  living  near  that 
place  and  although  in  the  midst  of  a  Baptist  neighborhood, 
was  the  means  of  establishing  a  Presbyterian  church  which 
now  numbers  50  members.  (Simpson's  Sketches). 

PERSONNEL  OF  THE  BODY. 

Concerning  the  Elders  we  know  little  or  nothing,  as 
Records  are  very  silent  concerning  them,  saying  nothing 
more  than  giving  their  names,  and  not  even  mentioning 
the  Churches  they  represented,  except  that  of  Little  Brit- 
ian.  In  those  days  the  Elders  seemed  as  quiescent  factors; 
or  as  Dr.  R.  J.  Breckenridge  once  expressed  it  in  his  Speech 
before  the  Assembly,  that  their  office  seemed  to  be  a  body 


16       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

guard  to  the  minister  to  accompany  him  and  "lay  down  the 
bars  before  him."  We  are  glad  to  know  the  views  of  the 
Church  have  of  late  materially  changed  on  that  subject, 
and  greatly  for  the  better. 

MINISTERS. 
REV.  JOHN  NEWTON. 

Rev.  John  Newton  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
Feb.  20,  1759,  was  received  by  the  Presbytery  of  South 
Carolina  at  Jackson  Creek  October  1785,  was  ordained  by 
said  Presbytery,  Oct.  18,  1788,  being  a  Licentiate  for  Qve 
years,;  having  taken  charge  of  the  churches  of  Bethsalem 
in  Oglethorpe  county,  and  New  Hope  in  Madison  county,  in 
the  previous  Spring  where  he  labored  till  his  death.  He 
was  the  first  resident  of  the  State  ever  ordained,  and  yef 
ordained  out  of  the  State.  The  call  to  said  churches  was 
borne  by  Messrs.  Park  and  Gillam,  Elders,  to  the  Presby- 
tery at  Duncan's  Creek  where  he  was  ordained,  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  associated  churches,  though  about  a 
hundred  miles  away!  these  men  receiving  him  in  the  name 
of  the  churches,  a  proceeding  altogether  right  at  that  time 
and  under  the  circumstances,  but  would  now  be  considered 
quite  irregular. 

Mr.  Newton  was  the  missionary  of  South  Carolina 
Presbytery  before  the  division;  a  man  abundant  in  labors, 
quite  a  number  of  the  earlier  churches  being  organized  by 
him.  Indeed  the  evidence  is  he  was  among,  if  not  the  very 
first  minister  that  visited  the  state,  as  Rev.  W.  E.  Dozier, 
his  great  grandson,  has  a  skeleton  of  one  of  his  sermons 
preached  at  Goshen,  "near  Greensboro,"  Aug.  15,  1784,  and 
therefore  he  must  have  visited  G-eorgia  while  still  a  Licen- 
tiate of  Orange  Presbytery  as  he  was  not  received  by  South 
Carolina  till  October  of  next  j^ear.  According  to  a  diary  he 
kept,  and  now  in  the  hands  of  his  grandson,  Rev.  Henry 
Newton,  he  made  a  missionary  tour  during  the  summer 
of  1785. 

According  to  that  Diary  he  crossed  the  Savannah 
river  at  its  junction  with  Broad  river,  then  went  South  to 
Little  river,  thence  North  West  to  Washington,  where  he 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IX  G-EORGIA       17 

found  neither  hotel  nor  Church.  Going  then  North  West 
he  came  to  a  church  (of  what  denomination  not  said), 
where  he  spent  the  Sabbath  and  preached.  From  thence  he 
proceeded  Westward  till  he  reached  Oconee  river;  seeing 
no  towns  or  Churches.  North  and  West  of  the  river  were 
the  Cherokee  Indians.  He  then  took  his  journey  North- 
ward, through  an  almost  unbroken  forest,  till  he  reached  a 
settlement  in  Oglethorpe  county  not  far  from  Crawford, 
where  finding  acquaintances  and  friends,  he  rested  awhile, 
and  which  place  he  made  his  after  home.  From  there  he 
began  his  homeward  journey.  Though  passing  through 
four  or  five  counties,  he  speaks  of  only  one  Church,  of 
which  mention  is  made  above.  He  was  six  weeks  away 
from  home.  He  moved  to  Georgia  in  the  Fall  of  1785  or 
Spring  of  1786.  (MS.  Letter.  Rev.  Henry  Newton.) 

Mr.  Newton  was  a  man  of  dark  complexion,  with  dark 
hair,  and  black  eyes;  strongly  built,  though  lean  and  long. 
He  married  Katherine  Lowrance  of  North  Carolina,  in 
1780  and  had  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters, 
many  of  whom  have  occupied  positions  of  prominence  in 
the  church.  Two  of  his  sons,  Ebenezer  and  Elizur  were 
elders;  the  former  at  Long  Cane,  and  the  latter  at  Athens. 
One  of  his  grandsons  is  a  minister,  viz..  Rev.  Henry  New- 
ton of  Athens.  Five  of  his  grandsons  were  elders:  John  T.  at 
Long  Cane,  Charles  at  the  Central  Church,  Atlanta,  John 
A.  Cooper  at  LaGrange,  William  at  Long  Cane  and  Wil- 
liam Henry  at  Athens.  Among  his  great  grandchildren, 
two  are  ministers,  viz:  Rev.  W.  E.  Dozier,  pastor  at  Car- 
rollton,  and  Rev.  J.  W.  .Stokes,  pastor  at  Americus,  Ga.,  and 
one,  Henry  E.,  an  elder  at  Loyd  Church.  Annie,  a  great 
grand  daughter  married  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Wilson  of  South 
Carolina;  and  Lucy,  another  great  grand  daughter  is  de- 
voting her  life  to  Missionary  work  in  connection  with  the 
movement  on  Cumberland  Mountains  in  Kentucky.  What 
a  record!  !  Mr.  Newton  died  at  Athens  June  17,  1797,  and 
was  buried  at  the  site  of  the  old  Bethsalem  church,  but  in 
1900  his  remains  were  removed  to  Lexington  where  they 
now  repose. 


18       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

REV.  JOHN  SPRINGER. 

Rev.  John  Springer  was  a  native  of  Delaware,  his  fa- 
ther being  James  Springer  and  his  grandfather  being  Carl 
Springer  a  wealthy  citizen  of  Sweden  and  resident  of  Stock- 
holm. 

We  give  the  following  tradition  concerning  his  father, 
James  Springer  as  related  by  Joseph  Springer  one  of  his 
descendents,  and  taken  from  Benjamin  Farris's  History  of 
the  original  settlements  on  the  Delaware,  pages  283,  284, 
and  furnished  by  Mr.  Herbert  Patman,  the  Librarian  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 

"My  grandfather  when  a  youth  was  sent  by  his  parents 
into  England,  for  the  purpose  of  finishing  his  education. 
One  evening,  when  in  London  as  he  was  walking  to  his 
lodgings,  a  party  of  ruffians  seized  and  gagged  him.  They 
then  hurried  him  into  a  carriage,  and  driving  it  down  to 
the  river,  put  him  on  board  of  a  ship,  bound  to  Virginia, 
and  confined  him  in  the  hold.  When  the  vessel  arrived  at 
the  port  of  her  destination,  Springer  was  sold  to  a  farmer 
for  a  term  of  years.  During  the  time  of  his  bondage  he 
learned  that  in  a  country  lying  far  to  the  Northeast,  there 
was  a  settlement  of  his  countrymen,  which  he  determined 
immediately  to  visit  as  soon  as  his  term  of  service  should 
expire.  When  that  time  arrived,  he  set  out  on  foot  to  se^k 
them  and  after  many  difficulties  in  crossing  a  new  coun- 
try, much  of  it  in  its  wild  state,  inhabited  only  by  Indians, 
he  to  his  great  joy,  found  them  at  Christiana,  and  settled 
himself  permanently  among  them." 

This  seems  a  marvellous  story  ^indeed!  If  it  had  been 
said,  that  yielding  to  the  spirit  of  adventure,  and  desirous 
of  seeing  the  "New  World,"  he  had  suffered  himself  to  be 
taken  and  sold  to  defray  the  cost  of  his  passage  as  many 
others  had  done,  of  which  we  read  in  the  early  history  of 
the  Province,  we  would  think  it  far  more  probable.  But  we 
give  the  story  as  we  find  it. 

In  process  of  time,  after  reaching  Christiana,  James 
married,  and  reared  a  large  family;  many  of  his  descend- 
ants being  men  of  prominence;  among  them  one  congress- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       19 

man,  and  two  judges.     Among  his  numerous  sons  was  one 
named  John,  the  subject  of  this  notice. 

John  Springer  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  Sept.  20,  1744,  and  graduated  at  Princeton  1776. 
After  this,  became  one  of  the  assistants  or  tutors  in  Hamp- 
den-Sydney  school.  After  leaving  Princeton,  he  taught 
school  for  a  while  in  Virginia.  Leaving  Virgina  on  account 
of  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  he  re- 
moved to  North  Carolina  where  he  taught  at  White  Hall 
and  Cambridge.  After  a  few  years  in  Carolina  he  removed 
to  Georgia,  and  opened  a  school  near  Washington,  Wilkes 
county.  Though  feeling  that  he  w^as  called  to  the  ministry, 
yet  a  feeling  of  unworthiness  kept  him  out  for  a  number 
of  years.  While  at  White  Hall,  he  studied  Theology  under 
Dr.  James  Hall.  After  being  a  candidate  for  a  number  of 
years,  under  Orange  Presbytery,  he  was  transferred  to  the 
Presbytery  of  South  Carolina  and  by  that  Presbytery  was 
licensed  at  Duncan's  Creek,  Oct.  18,  1788.  He  continued  to 
teach,  at  the  same  time  supplying  some  of  the  surround- 
ing churches.  Receiving  a  call  from  the  united  churches  of 
Providence,  Smyrna,  and  Washington  in  Wilkes  county, 
Georgia,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  South  Car- 
olina, at  Washington,  July  21,  1790,  he  being  the  first  Pres- 
byterian minister  ever  ordained  in  Georgia.  This  was  the 
first  meeting  of  any  Presbytery  in  Georgia.  Not  having  a 
house  of  worship,  the  ordination  took  place  under  a  large 
Poplar  tree  in  the  suburbs  of  the  town,  under  which  the 
Presbytery  held  its  meeting.   (Note  I.) 

Mr.  Springer  had  a  home  some  five  miles  North  of 
Washington,  called  "Walnut  Hill,"  where  he  also  had  a 
school  of  some  celebrity,  having  for  a  wiiile  as  students 
Jesse  Mercer,  and  Pope  Hull,  where  he  continued  till 
his  death.  He  was  called  upon  in  the  latter  part  of  Aii- 
fejst  to  preach  the  funeral  of  Hon.  John  Talbot,  the  father 

Note.  1.  As  the  Vol  I  of  the  records  of  the  Presbytery 
are  lost,  we  are  unable  to  give  the  names  of  the  members 
of  the  Presbytery.  This  we  greatly  regret,  as  this  is  the 
first  Presbytery  held  in  the  State. 


20       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

of  Governor  Talbot,  and  also  of  Thomas  Talbot,  for  a  long 
time  a  ruling  Elder  in  the  Washington  Church.  The  day 
was  warm,  he  exerted  himself;  being  caught  in  a  shower  of 
rain  that  came  up,  he  was  taken  with  a  chill  and  fever 
which  terminated  his  life.  He  died  Sept.  3rd.,  1798,  aged 
54  years.  At  his  request  he  was  buried  in  the  garden,  by 
the  roadside.  The  next  owner  in  straightening  the  road 
threw  the  grave  into  the  middle  of  the  road,  and  there  his 
ashes  remain  in  an  unknown,  unmarked  grave,  over  which 
vehicles  are  continually  passing. 

He  was  a  man  of  large  size;  as  was  said  of  him  "A 
gian  in  body  and  mind,"  an  easy  and  fluent  speaker. 
He  married  Ann  Greene  of  North  Carolina,  and  had  three 
daughters  and  one  son.  Many  of  his  descendants  are  still 
living  in  the  State.  The  son,  William  Greene  Springer, 
married  Mary  Baxter  of  Hancock  county,  and  removed  to 
Carroll  county  where  he  became  a  man  of  prominence,  at 
one  time  representing  the  county  in  the  State  Senate, 
which  place  he  creditably  filled  for  the  years  1838  and 
1839.  He  was  a  man  of  huge  proportions,  weighing  over 
four  hundred  pounds!  He  and  Hon.  Dixon  H.  Lewis  of 
Alabama  being  at  that  time  the  two  largest  men,  in  the 
whole  country. 

As  the  old  tree  under  which  the  Presbytery  held  its 
meeting  and  of  which  mention  has  been  made,  is  a  wonder 
in  itself,  hoary  with  years,  and  upon  which,  like  the  Pyra- 
mids of  Egypt,  "generations  have  wonderingly  gazed;"  and 
as  it  stands  the  only  living  witness  of  that  first  meeting  we 
think  it  w^orthy  of  special  mention.  We  herewith  therefore 
append  a  cut  of  its  present  appearance,  and  add  the  follow- 
ing description  given  by  my  young  friend,  Mr.  Robert  Guin, 
a  native  of  Washington. 

"The  circumference  of  the  big  Poplar  Tree  under 
which  the  first  Presbytery  was  held,  and  under  which  the 
first  Presbyterian  minister  w^as  ordained  in  Georgia,  is 
twenty  six  feet.  This  is  the  average  figure,  for  the  base  of 
the  tree  is  bulged  out  on  account  of  the  large  roots. 

"The  old  tree,  though  it  is  more  than  a  thousand  years 
old,  and  has  been  struck  by  lightning  five  or  six  times  is 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       ?.! 

still  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Its  original  height  is  not 
known,  but  is  supposed  to  have  been  over  a  hundred  and 
fifty  feet.  The  upper  half  it  is  plain  to  see,  has  decayed,  or 
in  other  ways  succumbed  to  the  attacks  made  upon  it  in 
the  past,  centuries,  but  the  part  remaining  stands  high 
above  any  other  tree  in  the  woods,  and  these  woods  are 
made  up  of  oak  and  poplar  trees;  And  this  fact  must 
prove  that  the  tree  was  in  its  prime  over  a  hundred  years 
ago,  when  the  Presbytery  was  held  under  it;  and  even 
then  must  have  been  a  gigantic  tree.  A  swarm  of  bees  have 
a  hive  in  the  lower  limb,  and  various  air  plants  have  be- 
gun to  appear  on  the  upper  branches.  But  notwithstanding 
all  these  life  sappers,  the  old  tree  will  undoubtedly  be  wit- 
nessed by  several  generations  yet  to  come. 

"The  old  rree  is  situated  almost  directly  East  of  Wash' 
ington,  three  quarters  of  a  mile  out  from  the  city.  It  is 
owned  by  the  widow  of  Capt.  C.  A.  Alexander,  an  old  con- 
federate veteran,  and  has  been  in  possession  of  his  fore- 
fathers, dating  from  the  Revolution.  Mrs.  Alexander  is  very 
proud  of  it,  and  has  several  pictures  of  it,  and  has  a  table 
made  from  one  of  the  gigantic  branches  torn  away  by  the 
lightning." 

To  this  description  we  add  the  hope  that  the  words  of 
our  young  friend,  may  indeed  be  prophetic  of  the  future 
of  the  grand  old  church,  which  is  yet  to  stand  for  ages  in 
the  conscious  majesty  of  its  strength,  harmlessly  receiving, 
but  hurling  back  with  fearful  recoil,  every  blow  directed 
at  it.  And  like  the  old  tree  ever  carrying  in  its  bosom  a 
swarm  of  active  workers,  furnishing  the  sweetness  of 
honey,  and  even  "of  fine  droppings  of  the  honey  comb,"  to 
the  generations  yet  to  come. 

REV.  ROBERT  CUNNINGHAM,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Robert  Cunningham,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  York 
county  Pennsylvania,  Sept.  10,  1760.  Licensed  by  the 
Presbytery  of  South  Carolina  Sept.  29,  1791.  Ordained 
and  installed  pastor  of  th.e  Ebenezer  and  Bethany  Church- 
es, July  31,  1793,  where  he  continued  to  labor  till  1808, 
when  he  removed  to  Lexington,  Kentucky.     There  he  re- 


22       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

mained  fourteen  years,  till  the  Fall  of  1822,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Moulton,  Alabama,  preaching  at  Tuscaloosa, 
which  church  he  organized,  and  at  other  places,  till  his 
death.  He  was  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  to 
preach  the  opening  sermon  and  to  preside  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  and  South  Alabama,  in 
1829,  and  also  to  render  this  service  at  the  organization  of 
the  Synod  of  Alabama  in  1835.  (Minutes  Gen.  Ass.  pp.  263. 
489.)  He  died  July  11,  1839,  In  the  80th  year  of  his  age. 

REV.  MOSES  WADDEL. 

Rev.  Moses  Waddel  was  born  in  Rowan,  now  Iredell 
county.  North  Carolina,  July  29,  1770,  his  father  being  an 
emigrant  from  Ireland.  He  graduated  at  Hampden  Sydney 
in  1791;  Licensed  by  Hanover  Presbytery  May  13,  1792;  or- 
dained June  6,  1794  by  South  Carolina  Presbytery;  Opened 
a  school  at  Carmel,  Columbia  County  (Sherwood,  p  112,) 
two  miles  east  of  the  village  of  Applington  where  he  taught 
school  for  a  number  of  j^ears.  In  1804  he  removed  to 
Vienna,  Abbeville  District  S.  C,  where  he  continued  to 
teach  till  1819  when  elected  president  of  the  University  of 
Georgia  holding  that  office  for  ten  years,  resigning  in  1824, 
and  died  at  Athens  July  21,  1840.  Among  his  pupils  were 
men  of  distinction,  as  John  C.  Calhoun,  Hugh  I.  Lagre, 
Jas.  S.  Pettigrew,  W.  H.  C.  Crawford,  and  others.  In  addi- 
tion to  teaching,  he  supplied  many  feeble  and  destitute 
churches.  His  name  is  a  household  word  in  educational 
circles,  having  left  to  the  state  and  country  a  rich  heri- 
tage in  the  number  of  educationists,  and  men  of  promi- 
nence and  distinction.  His  eldest  son,  James  P.  was  pro- 
fessor of  Languages  in  Franklin  College  and  Ruling  Elder 
in  the  church  at  that  place  till  his  death  May  26,  1867.  His 
second  son,  Isaac  Watts,  was  a  minister  and  serving  the 
churches  of  Willington,  South  Carolina,  Damopolis,  Ala- 
bama and  Marietta,  Georgia,  where  he  died,  in  1849.  His 
third  son  ,  William  Woodson,  was  an  Elder  and  Physician 
at  Tallahassee,  Florida,  where  he  died  after  a  useful  life 
in  1843.  His  fourth  son,  John  Newton,  was  a  minister, 
and  teacher,  in  the  Synodical  College  of  Alabama;  at  one 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       23 

time,  President  of  the  University  of  Mississippi;  at  anotli- 
er,  Chancellor  of  the  South  Western  University  at  Clarks- 
ville,  Tennessee.  Among  his  grand  children,  one,  William 
Henry,  the  son  of  James  P.  was  first  Tutor,  then  Adjunct 
Professor  of  Latin,  and  afterwards  Professor  of  Greek,  in 
the  University  of  Georgia,  and  Elder  in  the  Church  till 
his  death,  Sept.  21,  1878.  Another  James  Daniel,  son  of 
Isaac  Watts,  was  editor  and  author  of  several  volumes, 
among  them  the  life  of  Linton  Stevens.  Another,  John 
Oliver,  the  second  son  of  Isaac  Watts,  was  an  Elder  in  the 
Cedartown  Church.  Still  another,  Isaac  Watts,  Jr.  was  a 
minister  supplying  various  Churches,  at  one  time  President 
of  the  North  Georgia  Agricultural  College  at  Dahlonega, 
also  President  of  the  Euharlee  Institute,  and  now  pastor 
at  Archer,  Florida.  And  still  another  yet,  George  N.,  the 
son  of  John  Newton,  became  a  minister  in  Alabama,  and 
died  just  after  entering  the  ministry.  Dr.  Waddell  was 
married  twice.  His  first  wife  being  Catherine,  the  sister 
of  his  pupil,  John  C.  Calhoun,  who  lived  but  a  short  while. 
His  second  was  Elizabeth  W.  Pleasants,  of  Virginia.  The 
honorary  degree  of  D.  D.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  South 
Carolina  College  in  1807.  He  was  also  elected  to  the  chair 
of  Theology  in  Columbia  Seminary,  but  declined,  to  which 
Dr.  Goulding  was  afterwards  appointed. 

REV.  WILLIAM  MONTGOMERY. 

Rev.  William  Montgomery  was  educated  at  Mt.  Zion 
College,  Winnsboro,  S.  C,  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Carolina  April  16,  1793;  ordained  by  the  same,  and 
made  pastor  of  Little  Britain  and  Siloam  Churches  May  28, 
1795,  and  afterwards  also  of  New  Hope  Church.  In  1800,  in 
company  with  Drs.  James  Hall,  of  Concord  Presbytery,  and 
J.  H.  Bowman,  of  Orange  Presbytery  lie  was  sent  on  a 
pioneer  missionary  tour  to  the  "Natchez  Country,"  as  Mis- 
sissippi was  then  called,  where  they  remained  nine  months, 
the  three  preaching  at  nine  different  places,  at  six  of  which 
Churches  were  afterwards  established;  after  which  they 
returned  to  their  homes. 

In  1811,  Mr.  Montgomery  went  back  to  Mississippi,  and 


24       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

carried  his  family  with  him,  and  became  the  supply  of  the 
Pine  Ridge  Church  for  six  years,  from  Jan.  1812  till  1819; 
and  then  also  taking  charge  of  Ebenezer  and  Union 
Churches,  all  in  Jefferson  county,  preaching  alternately  at 
these  Churches  from  1820  till  his  death. 

In  1816,  in  company  with  Rev.  John  Bullen,  Rev.  James 
Smilie  and  some  Elders,  he  went  to  Pine  Ridge  Church,  and 
there  they  constituted  the  Presbytery  of  Mississippi,  the 
mother  Presbytery  of  the  Southwest.  His  being  the  honor 
thus  of  being  one  of  the  Charter  members  of  two  first  Pres- 
byteries in  two  different  States,  the  one  in  Georgia,  and  the 
other  in  Mississippi.  He  also  was  the  first  minister  to 
preach  in  Port  Gibson,  being  called  upon  to  conduct  the 
funeral  of  Mrs.  Gibson,  the  wife  of  the  hotel  keeper  in  that 
place. 

In  his  early  ministry  under  a  charge  of  indiscretion,  if 
not  of  immoral  conduct  he  was  suspended,  but  before  the 
next  meeting  there  was  a  general  reaction  in  his  favor,  and 
in  accordance  with  a  petition  of  the  Church  and  congrega- 
tion, he  was  restored,  showing  that  in  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple, the  action  of  the  Presbytery  seemed  unnecessarily 
severe. 

Mr.  Montgomery  was  a  fine  scholar,  and  withal  a  tried 
and  trusted  counsellor.  He  took  a  very  prominent  part  in 
the  organization  of  Oakland  College,  the  first  Presbyterian 
School  in  the  Southwest.  He  had  a  son,  Rev.  Sam  Mont- 
gomery, a  most  eloquent  preacher,  who  supplied  Union 
Church,  one  of  his  father's,  till  his  death  in  1884. 

Mr.  Montgomery  is  described  as  a  small  man  of  slen- 
der frame,  with  fair  and  rather  florid  complexion,  blue  eyes 
and  fiery  red  hair,  an  earnest  and  faithful  minister.  He 
died  in  1848,  greatly  honored  and  beloved,  and  was  buried 
near  the  old  Ebenezer  Church,  to  which  he  so  long  minis- 
tered.    (MS.  Letter  Dr.  C.  W.  Grafton.    Howe  173-5.) 

The  first  Presbytery  seemed  much  Imbued  with  the 
spirit  of  its  mission,  and  a  realizing  sense  of  its  weighty 
responsibilities,  for  after  surveying  the  field,  and  voting 
supplies  for  its  vacancies,  they  took  the  following  action: 
"In  view  of  the  degeneracy  of  manners  and  declension  in 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       25 

religion,  which  so  awfully  prevail,  in  coincidence  with  sev- 
eral other  religious  Judicatures,  we  recommend  the 
first  Tuesdays  in  January,  April,  July  and  October  as  days 
of  humiliation,  fasting  and  prayer."  How  intensely  in  ear- 
nest! Four  days  in  the  year  for  humiliation,  fasting  and 
prayer! 

Thus  it  would  appear  from  the  foregoing  that  these 
pioneers  of  Presbyterianism  were  neither  pygmies  nor 
drones  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Master,  but  were  men  of 
character  and  worth,  of  deep  piety  and  entire  consecration 
and  well  worthy  of  the  honor  put  upon  them,  and  the  work 
assigned  them,  and  indeed  the  worthy  representatives  of 
the  great  church,  the  foundation  of  which  they  were  called 
upon  to  lay  in  the  province  of  Georgia. 

THE  FIELD. 

From  the  laborers,  we  turn  to  the  field.  That  field  was 
a  very  broad  one,  being  the  whole  state  of  Georgia,  at  least 
as  far  as  the  population  extended.  Over  this  vast  area  there 
were  some  fourteen  or  more  small  and  feeble  churches, 
with  quite  a  number  of  missionary  or  preaching  places.  On 
account  of  the  imperfection  of  the  records,  and  the  change 
and  confusion  of  names,  several  being  applied  to  the  same 
field,  we  have  found  it  difficult,  if  not  impossible  to  give  ;i 
correct  list  of  all  the  churches,  the  time  of  their  organiza- 
tion, or  their  order.  This  much  however  we  can  assert 
confidently  that  they  were  all  formed  since  the  Revolution- 
ary war;  (s€e  letter  of  Rev.  Dan  Thatcher)  and  most  of 
them  organized  by  Rev,  Dan  Thatcher  and  Rev.  John  New- 
ton, the  first  missionairies  of  the  Presbytery.  There  were 
only  five  of  the  fields  regularly  supplied;  viz:  Bethany  and 
New  Hope,  by  Rev.  John  Newton;  Liberty,  Smyrna  and 
Providence  by  Rev.  John  Springer;  Bethany  and  Ebenezer, 
by  Rev.  Robert  Cunningham;  Carmel  and  Joppa  by  Rev. 
Moses  Waddel;  Greensboro  and  Little  Britian  by  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Montgomery. 

The  following  is  the  location  of  the  different  churches 
as    well   as    we   can   locate   them,    many   of   them   like   the 


26       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

seven  churches  of  Asia  having  passed  away,  and  not  leav- 
ing a  single  trace  behind. 

Bethsalem  in  Oglethorpe  county,  near  Lexington. 
New  Hope  in  Madison  county  as  at  present;  Liberty  after- 
wards Salem,  and  now  Woodstock  to  which  it  has  been 
removed  in  Wilkes  county.  Smyrna,  four  miles  South  of 
Washington,  on  the  Augusta  Road.  Providence  a  few  miles 
North  of  Washington  in  the  same  county.  Bethany  as  at 
present  in  Greene  county.  Ebenezer,  now  Mount  Zion,  in 
Hancock  county.  Carmel  and  Joppa,  near  Appling,  Colum- 
bia county,  where  Dr.  Waddel  taught  school.  Siloam,  now 
Greensborough  as  at  present.  Little  Britian,  near  by  on 
the  head  waters  of  Little  river,  between  Greene  and 
Oglethorpe  counties.  "Goshen  near  Greensborough,"  in 
Greene  county.  Sherril's  Creek,  Goose  Pond,  and  Falling 
Creek,  in  Oglethorpe  county.  "Richmond  near  the  Kio- 
kees,  Columbia  county,"  "Concord  in  Wilkes  county,"  and 
Sharon  and  Kettle  Creek,  in  the  same;  Great  Kiokee,  in 
Columbia  county.  Bethesda  in  Elbert  county,  Sharon  and 
Fergus  Creek  in  Wilkes  county. 

To  determine  the  order  of  the  different  organizations,  is 
just  as  unsatisfactory,  it  being  difficult  to  assert  with  any 
sort  of  certainty  which  is  even  the  first  organized.  Bethany 
is  usually  spoken  of  as  the  oldest,  and  on  that  account  call- 
ed the  "mother  of  the  churches."  We  regret  that  we  are 
under  the  necessity  of  expressing  doubt  as  to  this  point.  It 
is  usually  claimed  that  this  church  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Dan  Thatcher  in  1786  and  therefore  the  church  held  its 
centennial  celebration  in  1886.  But  here  are  the  facts  as 
we  find  them. 

In  1791,  two  years  after  the  General  Assembly  was 
formed  It  was  "resolved  that  it  be  enjoined  upon  each 
Presbytery,  strictly  to  order  their  members  to  procure  all 
the  materials  for  forming  a  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  these  United  States,  to  bring  in  the  same  to 
their  Presbytery,  and  the  Presbyteries  to  forward  the  same 
to  the  next  Assembly."  (Min.  p  38.)  This  was  repeated 
every  year  till  1795,  on  account  of  the  slowness  of  some  of 
the  Presbyteries  to  act  in  the  matter. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       27 

In  obedience  to  this  command  of  the  Assembly,  how- 
ever Rev.  Daniel  Thatcher  and  Rev.  John  Newton  gave  an 
account  of  their  fields.  Mr.  Thatcher  says  in  his  letter  dat- 
ed April  2,  1792,  that  "in  accordance  with  the  request  of 
the  Assembly  and  the  order  of  the  Presbytery,  he  would 
"undertake  to  give  some  account  of  the  planting  and  ap- 
parent rise  of  those  Churches  now  vacant  in  these  parts, 
particularly  where  I  am  supplying  at  present."  Then  goes 
on  to  say  "Bethany  Church,  I  believe  was  settled  in  1788" 
Ebenezer  about  the  close  of  1788,"  "Richmond  Creek,  about 
the  year  1788,"  "Bethlehem,  about  the  year  1789,"  Goshen 
near  Greensboro,  and  Little  Britian  on  the  waters  of  Little 
river  about  1790." 

Rev.  John  Newton,  in  his  letter  written  the  same  year 
says  thait  of  the  churches  of  New  Hope,  Bethsalem,  Little 
Britian  and  Bethany,  which  were  in  a  row  North  and 
South,  that  "Bethsalem  was  the  first  organized."  Then 
goes  on  with  the  discription  of  the  other  churches,  but 
says  nothing  more  about  their  organization  except  Beth- 
salem. 

In  the  year  1877,  says  he,  the  people  of  this 
church,  called  Mr.  John  Ne-^vton,  Probationer  under  the 
care  of  the  South  Carolina  Presbytery,  to  be  their  pastor. 
The  call  was  accepted,  and  he  the  said  Mr.  Newton,  was 
ordained  in  1788,  and  did  then  become  and  is  still  pastor 
of  that  church."  (Howe,  Vol.  I.  P.  657.)  Here  then  we  have 
the  direct  statements  of  Mr.  Thatcher  himself,  who  organ- 
ized the  church,  that  Bethany  was  settled  in  1788,  and  of  Mr. 
Newton  that  Bethsalem  called  him  in  1787.  And  we  suppose 
that  these  men  knew  what  they  were  saying,  especially 
as  these  statements  were  to  form  parts  of  a  History  in 
which  they  had  a  whole  year  to  secure  accuracy. 

2nd.  Dr.  John  Waddel  in  his  Academic  Memorials, 
(pg.  31)  says  of  his  father  Dr.  Moses  Waddel,  that  ne 
taught  school  at  Willington,  S.  C,  in  1784.  Went  on  a  tour 
of  observation  to  Greene  county,  Georgia,  in  the  Fall  of 
1786.  Opened  a  school  which  was  broken  up  by  the  invas' 
ion  of  the  Indians  in  1787,  who  burned  Greensboro  and 
committed  other     depredations;     returned  to     Georgia  in 


28       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

1788  and  opened  another  school  near  the  same  place,  and 
being  troubled  about  his  spiritual  condition  conversed  with 
Mr.  Thatcher  "who  with  other  ministers  visited  the  com- 
munity that  year,"  in  this  account  nothing  being  said  about 
Mr.  Thatcher  before  that  time.  (1788.) 

3rd.  Then  again  in  the  list  of  churches  made  out  by 
the  Officers  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1788,  we  see  the 
names  of  Providence,  Sherill's  Creek,  Bethsalem,  and 
Richmond  Creek  but  no  Bethany.     (Pub.  Min.  Pg,  20.) 

Thus  from  the  evidence  before  me  I  am  constrained  to 
believe  that  Bethany  is  not  the  oldest  Church  organized  in 
Georgia.  That  the  neighborhood  was  settled  several  years 
before  I  doubt  not;  but  that  Mr.  Thatcher  was  right  in  his 
official  statement  that  the  church  was  not  gathered  till 
1788,  and  after  Bethsalem,  Richmond,  Sherril  Creek,  and 
Smyrna.  Which  of  these  was  first  organized,  we  have  no 
means  of  determining. 

On  viewing  the  extent  of  the  field  we  are  at  once 
struck  with  the  vastness  of  the  work  for  these  few  labor- 
ers; and  the  more  so,  when  we  remember  that  the  number 
01  these  churches  was  soon  increased,  while  the  number 
of  ministers  diminished.  Hebron  was  added  to  the  list  of 
Churches  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  So  supplies 
were  ordered  to  some  new  fields,  as  requested,  whilst  th3 
ranks  of  the  ministry  was  depleted  by  the  loss  of  Rev. 
John  Newton  who  died  June  17,  of  the  same  year,  just 
three  months  after  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  So  of 
the  Rev.  John  Springer  who  died  September  the  3rd,  of  the 
year  after;  thus  leaving  but  three  laborers  in  that  vast 
field,  until  Rev.  Thomas  Newton,  a  brother  of  Rev.  John 
Newton  was  added  to  the  list.  He  was  a  Licentiate  of 
Concord  Presbytery,  and  having  received  a  call  from  He- 
bron church,  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  same 
March  1799.  For  a  number  of  years  the  Presbytery  con- 
tinued very  weak,  at  times  not  being  able  to  meet  on  ac- 
count of  a  want  of  a  quorum,  and  at  best  only  with  an  attend- 
dance  of  about  three  or  four  ministers  and  two  or  three  el- 
ders. Edmund  Pharr  was  ordained  Dec.  1801,  and  John 
Hodge,  a  Licentiate  was  received  from   the     Cumberland 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       29 

Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  ordained  April  6,  1805.  And 
Rev.  Francis  Cummins  was  received  from  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Carolina  at  the  Fall  meeting  of  the  same  year  and 
made  minister  at  Greensboro.  John  R.  Thompson,  a  teach- 
er at  Augusta,  "and  late  of  New  York,"  was  received  un- 
der their  6ave  in  1805  and  licensed  and  ordained  in  1807, 
and  installed  pastor  at  Augusta.  On  the  other  hand.  Rev. 
Dr.  Waddel  had  been  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  oouth 
Carolina  in  1801,  and  Rev.  Robert  Cunningham  to  West 
Lexington  Presbytery  in  1809.  So  that  at  the  end  of  ten 
years,  there  were  only  six  ministers,  there  being  only  a 
gain  of  one  during  that  time.  Indeed  the  number  reported 
to  the  Assembly  in  1810,  was  only  five,  the  same  as  at 
first.  We  have  no  means  of  determining  the  number  of 
Communicants  at  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery.  The 
number  reported  in  1810.  which  was  their  first  report,  was 
only  218.  As  the  number  of  ministers  remained  the  same, 
we  presume  the  size  of  the  membership  also  remained 
about  the  same. 

To  see  the  further  weakness  of  the  Presbytery  and 
the  difficulty  under  which  they  labored,  we  have  only  to 
consider  their  almost  complete  isolation  from  the  rest  of 
the  brethren,  and  therefore  the  want  of  sympathy  and  co- 
operation. In  1809  the  books  of  the  Presbytery  were  sent 
to  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas,  at  Poplar  Tent  and  reviewed 
for  the  first  time!  So  the  Presbytery,  up  to  that  time  had 
been  represented  in  the  General  Assembly,  but  twice! 
First  by  Dr.  Moses  Waddel,  in  1798,  and  second  by  Dr. 
Robert  Cunningham  in  1805,  and  in  neither  case  by  an  El- 
der. The  next  and  third  time  the  Presbytery  was  repre- 
sented in  the  Assembly,  was  in  1821,  twenty  six  years  af- 
ter by  Rev.  Talmage,  and  Elder  Elizur  L.  Newton,  who 
was  the  first  Elder  Representative.  Three  times  in  thirty 
four  years;  and  by  an  Elder  for  the  first  time  in  thirty  four 
years  of  its  existence. 

Considering  the  extent  of  the  field,  the  fewness  of  tho 
laborers,  the  number  of  the  appointments,  the  distance  to 
be  traveled,  the  absence  of  public  conveniences  of  travel, 
the  smallness  of  the  salaries  in  no  instances  being  over  two 


30       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

or  three  hundred  dollars,  which  forced  so  many  of  them 
into  the  school  room,  as  well  as  the  lack  of  fraternal  sym- 
pathy and  association,  we  cannot  but  express  our  astonish- 
ment at  the  work  performed,  and  their  faith  and  persever- 
ance; nor  yet  can  we  blame  them  for  not  attending  the 
sessions  of  the  Synod  and  the  Assembly. 

HARMONY  PRESBYTERY. 

The  Presbytery  of  Harmony,  was  the  second  Presby- 
tery set  up,  and  was  set  off  from  the  First  and  Second 
Presbyteries  of  South  Carolina,  and  a  part  of  Hopewell,  in 
Georgia,  by  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  at  their  session  at 
Poplar  Tent,  North  Carolina,  October  10th,  1809;  the  w^est- 
ern  border  being  a  line  drawn  from  the  mouth  of  Lynch's 
Creek,  a  point  about  an  hundred  miles  from  the  sea,  on  the 
line  between  North  and  South  Carolina,  to  the  city  of  Au- 
gusta in  Georgia,  including  the  cities  of  Camden,  Colum- 
bia and  Augusta;  with  a  continuation  of  said  line  to  St. 
Marys  in  Georgia,  and  including  Waynesboro  and  Mt,  Zion. 
Thus  embracing  the  whole  of  the  seacoast  of  South  Caro- 
lina, with  a  large  part  of  Georgia,  within  its  territorial 
area.  The  ministers  of  said  Presbytery  were:  G.  G.  Mc- 
Whorter,  Andrew  Flinn,  and  James  Cousar,  of  Carolina; 
and  John  R.  Thompson,  pastor  of  Augusta  Church,  and 
set  off  from  Hopewell  Presbytery.  Their  first  meeting  was 
held  in  Charleston,  March  7th,  1810.  Rev.  James  Cousar 
was  chosen  Stated  Clerk,  and  continued  in  that  capacity 
till  his  resignation  October  1836;  his  death  occurring  the 
Fall  of  the  next  year. 

As  the  boundary  of  the  Presbytery  was  so  extensive, 
covering  the  entire  seaboard  of  two  states,  and  extending 
considerably  into  the  interior  of  each;  and  as  the  ministers 
were  so  few,  and  all  but  one.  Rev.  J.  R.  Thompson,  living 
in  Carolina,  and  he  far  in  the  interior,  the  members  for  the 
most  part  were  required  to  attend  on  horseback,  little  or 
nothing  was  done  for  quite  a  term  of  years  towards  the 
planting  and  training  of  churches  in  the  Georgia  half  of 
the  Presbytery.  The  same  conditions  obtained  here  as  in 
the  early  history  of  Hopewell;   a  vast  field,  with  few  lab- 


THE  IPRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA         31 

orers;  and  nearly  the  whole  of  it,  missionary  ground.  To 
see  the  extent  of  th€  field,  we  have  only  to  consider  the 
different  places  of  the  meting  of  the  Presbytery.  At  one 
time  at  Charleston,  then  at  Augusta,  then  at  Charleston, 
then  at  Savannah,  then  at  Columbia,  then  at  Augusta,  etc. 
The  records  show  that  the  Presbytery  of  Harmony  met  but 
four  times  in  Georgia  during  the  eleven  years  of  its  exis- 
tence, till  the  setting  up  of  the  Presbytery  of  Georgia,  in 
1821;  viz:  Three  times  in  Augusta;  Jan.  11,  1811,  Nov.  12, 
1812,  Oct.  28,  1813;  and  in  Savannah  once,  Dec.  20,  1811. 
With  the  increase  of  population  however,  and  further 
development  of  the  country,  ministers  began  to  move  in 
and  settle  at  different  localities.  Rev.  William  McWhir,  D. 
D.,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Killileagh,  who  had  had  charge  of  the  public  school  in 
Alexandria,  Virginia,  of  which  General  Washington  was  a 
patron,  removed  to  Georgia  about  1790,  had  settled 
at  Sunbury,  and  opened  a  school  for  boys  and  girls,  and 
had  been  teaching  quite  successfully  for  a  number  of 
years.  Rev.  Murdoch  Murphy,  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Orange  had  gone  in  as  the  successor  of  Rev.  Cyrus 
Gildersleeve,  in  December  1811  and  for  some  time  had 
been  the  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Liberty 
county.  Dr.  Henry  Kollock,  who  had  been  a  member  of 
Harmony  Presbytery,  but  had  disowned  its  authority,  in 
the  year  1813,  had  been  supplying  the  Independent  Presby- 
terian church  at  Savannah  from  the  year  1806.  Thomas 
Goulding,  a  member  of  the  Midway  church,  had  been  re- 
ceived under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Harmony  1813, 
and  by  them  licensed,  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the 
White  Bluff  Congregational  church  in  the  year  1816.  Rev. 
Samuel  S.  Davis,  a  member  of  Albany  Presbytery,  who  had 
been  acting  as  an  agent  for  Princeton  College,  had  been 
received  by  the  Presbytery  of  Harmony,  installed  pastor 
of  the  Darien  Church  Nov.  1821.  A  congregation  had  been 
gathered  at  St.  Marys,  and  was  in  need  of  a  Minister.  So 
the  churches  of  Augusta,  Mt.  Zion  and  Waynesborougb, 
felt,  in  their  separation,  the  need  of  Christian  fraterniza- 
tion and  ecclesiastical  oversight. 


32       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

GEORGIA  PRESBYTERY. 
(The  third  Presbytery  formed.) 

Under  the  then  existing  circumstances,  therefore',  it 
was  deemed  advisable  that  the  Presbytery  of  Harmony 
should  be  divided,  which  was  accordingly  done  by  the 
Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  at  their  Sessions  at 
Washington,  Wilkes  county,  Nov.  3rd,  1821;  setting  off  the 
lower  half  of  the  Presbytery,  south  of  the  Savannah  river, 
into  an  independent  Presbytery,  to  be  known  as  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Georgia.  To  which  also  the  Rev.  Nathan  S.  S. 
Beman,  and  Rev.  Benjamin  Gildersieeve,  members  of 
Hopewell  Presbytery,  were  set  off  by  the  Synod,  and  united 
to  the  new  Presbytery.  The  western  boundry  line  as  set  by 
the  Synod,  and  separating  it  from  the  Presbytery  of  Hope- 
well, was  the  lower  lines  of  the  counties  of  Lincoln, 
Wilkes,  Greene,  Putnam,  Jasper,  Monroe,  Upson,  Talbot, 
and  Harris.  Thus  cutting  the  Sta'-e  into  two  unequal 
parts,  and  giving  the  larger  half  to  the  newly  formed 
Presbytery;  and  throwing  the  churches  of  Augusta, 
Waynesboro  and  Mount  Zion  into  the  bounds  of  G^eorgia 
Presbytery  and  so  continued  till  1824,  when  the  boundary 
line  between  the  Presbyteries  of  Georgia  and  Hopewell  was 
changed,  and  placing  them,  back  into  the  bounds  of  the 
latter. 

The  Presbytery  of  Georgia,  at  its  organization,  com- 
prised the  following  ministers: 

William  McWhir,  who  had  been  received  into  Harm- 
ony Presbytery,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Killileagh,  Ireland, 
Nov.  9,  1815,  and  who  was  then  teacher  at  Sunbury. 

Murdoch  Murphy,  received  by  Harmony  Presbytery, 
from  Orange  Presbytery,  Dec.  27,  1811,  then  pastor  of  Mid- 
way Congregational  Church. 

Thomas  Goulding,  licensed,  Oct.  31,  1813,  and  ordained 
and  install-ed  pastor  White  Bluff  Congregational  Church, 
by  Harmony  Presbytery,  Jan.  21,  1816. 

William  Moderwell,  received  by  Harmony  Presbytery, 
April  19,  1821,  from  New  Castle  Presbytery,  and  then  pas- 
tor Augusta  Church. 

Samuel  3.  Davis,  received  by  Presbytery  of  Harmony, 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       33 

from  Presbytery  of  Albany,  Nov.  2,  1821,  (only  a  month 
before)  then  minister  at  Darien. 

Remembrance  Chamberlain,  received  by  Harmony 
Presbytery,  (only  a  month  before)  from  Addison  Associa- 
tion, Vermont,  Nov.  2,  1821,  then  a  missionary  m  Georgia. 
Nathan  S.  S.  Beman,  set  off  by  the  Synod  from  Hope- 
well Presbytery,  teacher  and  supplying  Mt.  Zion  Church. 

Benjamin  Gildersleeve,  set  off  by  the  Synod  from  Hope- 
well, assistant  teacher  and  Editor  at  Mt.  Zion. 

LICENTIATES:  James  Wood,  and  James  S.  Olcott. 

CANDIDATE:   Carlisle  P.  Beman. 

CHURCHES— Augusta,  Mt.  Zion,  (formerly  Ebenezer) 
Darien,  St.  Marys.  The  other  fields,  either  Congregational 
or  Independent. 

The  Presbytery  held  its  first  meeting  at  Washington, 
during  the  Synod,  and  by  its  appointment,  with  Rev.  Nath- 
an S.  S.  Beman  as  Moderator,  and  Re^^  William  Moder- 
well,  Clerk. 

Although  the  Presbytery  started  seemingly  under  fav- 
orable auspices  with  aboundant  territory,  and  a  goodly  sup- 
ply of  faithful  ministers,  yet  its  after  success  was  disap- 
pointing, for  its  progress  was  marked,  for  many  years,  with 
languishing  and  weakness. 

The  reason  for  this  was  twofold: 

1st.  The  wide  prevalence  of  the  Congregational  or 
Independent  element,  which  drew  so  largely  upon  the  body 
of  its  ministry,  and  at  the  same  time  interfered  with  any 
definite  purpose  of  church  extension.  The  churches  of 
Augusta,  Darien,  Mt.  Zion,  and  St.  Marys,  were  the  only 
regularly  constituted  ones  within  its  wide  domain,  and 
they  too  remote  for  well  directed  and  concerted  action. 
The  church  at  Waynesborough  was  Congregational  and 
though  independent  of  the  Presbytery,  yet  drawing  upon 
it  for  supplies.  In  like  manner  the  Independent  Church  of 
Savannah,  at  different  times,  employed  the  ministers  of 
the  Presbytery,  as  pastors.  So  the  Independent  Congrega- 
tional Church  at  White  Bluff,  depended  upon  the  Presby- 
tery for  its  supplies.  So  also  the  Midway  Church,  Liberty 
county;   after  Rev.  Mr.  Osgood's  time,  with  the  exception 


34       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

of  Dr.  Abiel  Holmes  was  supplied  entirely  by  ministers  of 
the  Presbytery.  During  the  last  fifty  years  of  its  existence, 
it  employed  as  many  as  three  of  its  ministers,  two  regular 
pastors,  and  one  as  missionary  to  the.' blacks.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  the  four  points  above  mentioned,  viz:  Augusta, 
Darien,  Mt.  Zion,  and  St.  Marys,  the  ministers  were  doing 
little  or  nothing  towards  the  building  up  of  Presbyterian- 
ism,  and  equally  as  little  for  the  extension  of  Congregational- 
ism, or  the  principles  of  Independency,  as  the  after  results 
have  abundantly  demonstrated.  We  conceive  it  to  be  a 
difficult  task  indeed,  for  a  set  of  workmen  to  build  a  house 
with  different  models  before  them. 

2nd.  The  second  reason  for  the  poor  success,  was  the 
frequent  spoliation  of  the  Presbytery,  by  the  repeated  dis- 
memberment of  its  territory;  thus  reducing  it  after  awhile 
to  a  mere  coast  wise  strip. 

1.  The  first  dismemberment  was  in  1824,  when  the 
Synod  detached,  and  annexed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Hope- 
well, eighteen  of  her  counties,  and  taking  away  Augusta, 
Waynesborough,  and  Mt.  Zion,  three  of  her  strongest  and 
best  organized  churches.  The  counties  thus  detached  ar-e 
as  follows:  Columbia,  Warren,  Hancock,  Baldwin,  Jones, 
Bibb,  Crawford,  Houston,  Twiggs,  Wilkinson,  Washington, 
Jefferson,  Richmond,  Burke,  Emanuel,  Laurens,  Pulaski, 
and  Montgomery.  Against  this  action  of  the  Synod,  the 
Presbytery  demurred,  but  in  vain. 

2.  The  second  dismemberment  was  in  1835,  when  in 
the  setting  up  of  the  Presbytery  of  Goodhope,  afterwards 
Flint  River,  and  defining  the  boundary  line  between  Geor- 
gia and  Flint  River  Presbyteries,  the  counties  of  Early, 
Randolph,  Lee,  Stewart,  Sumter,  Marion,  Muscogee,  and 
parts  of  Dooly,  Decatur,  and  Baker  were  detached,  and 
added  to  Flint  River;  thus  cutting  off  seven  more  whole 
counties,  and  parts  of  three  others. 

3.  The  third  dismemberment  was  in  1840,  when  the 
Presbytery  of  Florida  was  set  up,  and  when  the  counties 
of  Baker,  Decatur,  Thomas,  and  Lowndes  were  set  off  with 
a  portion  of  Florida  to  form  the  Presbytery  of  Florida. 

4.  The  fourth  dismemberment  was  in  1878,  when  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       35 

county  of  Mitchell  was  detached  and  added  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  Macon. 

Recently,  in  1908,  the  counties  of  Screven,  and 
Jenkins,  were  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta. 

As  the  result  of  all  these  excisions  the  Presbytery  be- 
came so  weak  that  frequently  it  failed  to  meet  for  the  want 
of  a  quorum. 

SAVANNAH  PRESBYTERY. 

In  1866,  at  the  time  of  the  redistribution  of  the  Presby- 
teries by  the  Synod,  the  name  of  this  Presbytery  was 
changed  from  "GEORGIA,"  to  that  of  SAVANNAH,  and 
the  counties  of  Emanuel,  Montgomery,  and  Lowndes  were 
restored  to  her.  So  in  1890,  the  county  of  Worth  was  re- 
stored by  the  General  Assembly;  the  Presbytery  at  that 
time  being  in  connection  with  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia 
and  Florida. 

In  answer  to  an  overture  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia  for 
division  and  formation  of  a  new  Synod,  the  General  As- 
sembly in  1881  detached  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah,  and 
united  it  to  the  two  Presbyteries  of  Florida,  viz:  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Florida  and  that  of  St.  Johns,  and  thereby  form- 
ing the  new  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida.  The 
Presbytery  remained  in  this  connection  till  1891  when  it 
was  again  restored  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia  and  the  Synod 
of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  ceased  to  exist,  but  became 
the  Synod  of  Florida. 

Since  this  restoration,  and  with  the  increased  opening 
of  the  interior  and  southern  portions  of  the  state,  and  th« 
general  improvement  of  the  country,  the  Presbytery  of 
Savannah  has  become  much  stronger,  and  now  bids  fair  to 
attain  to  a  degree  of  success  and  prosperity,  the  equal  of 
any  other  Presbytery  in  the  Synod. 

Though  Hopewell  was  the  older,  and  mother  Presby- 
tery, yet  as  we  have  seen,  it  made  little  or  no  progress 
during  the  first  ten  years  of  its  existence;  the  number  re- 
maining about  the  same,  and  that  too  only  through  the  self 
denying  labors  of  the  few  faithful  ministers  who  struggled 
on,  supplementing  their  small  salaries,  with  the  labors  of 
the  school  room,  thus  discharging  the  three  fold  duties  of 


36       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

pastor,  teacher,  and  missionary;  ofttimes  discouraged  and 
some  times  even  almost  ready  to  give  up  in  despair.  In 
their  early  Records  we  frequently  find  that,  grieving  over 
the  low  estate  of  the  church,  they  would  appoint  days  of 
fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer.  And  at  first  as  many  as 
four  in  the  year;  "the  first  Tuesday  in  January,  April, 
July,  and  October."  And  on  one  occasion  we  find  that  the 
Presbytery,  in  1813,  appointed  a  meeting  at  Bethany,  not 
for  business,  but  solely  for  conference,  humiliation,  and 
prayer,  over  their  low  estate!  But  such  faithful  service 
could  not  continue  in  vain:  Such  earnest  prayers,  not  long 
remain  unanswered.  The  night  must  give  place  to  day. 
After  a  while  the  darkness  began  to  disappear,  and  the 
dawn  of  the  morning  to  appear  with  the  breaking  of  the 
day.  With  the  coming  of  Dr.  John  Brown  from  South  Caro- 
lina, and  his  election  to  the  presidency  of  the  College  at 
Athens  in  the  year  1811,  came  fresh  hope  and  courage  to 
the  Presbytery.  (Note)  Dr.  Brown  was  a  native  of  Antrim 
county,  Ireland,  born  June  15,  1763;  joined  the  army  under 
Gen.  Sumter,  1778,  studied  theology  under  Rev.  M.  Mc- 
Corkle,  near  Salisbury,  N.  C.  Licensed  in  1788.  In  1809 
chosen  Professor  of  Logic  and  Moral  Philosophy,  in  South 
Carolina  College;  Made  President  of  Georgia  University  in 
1811,  Resigned  in  1816.  Pastor  of  Mt.  Zion  Church  in  Han- 
cock county  for  twelve  years,  and  died  at  Fort  Gaines,  Ga., 
Dec.  11,  1842. 

But  the  change  became  much  more  apparent  upon  the 
return  of  Dr.  Waddel  from  Carolina,  to  which  Presbytery 
he  had  been  dismissed,  after  nineteen  years  absence,  and 
his  accession  to  the  presidency  of  the  State  Institution,  in 
1819,  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Robert  Finley,  who  succeeded 
Dr.  Brown  upon  his  resignation  in  1816  and  who  died 
Oct  3,  1817  the  same  year  of  his  inauguration.  Dr.  Wad- 
del's  influence  was  felt  not  only  in  the  university,  but 
throughout  the  entire  state.  He  was  a  natural  born 
teacher,  and  had  established  quite  a  reputation  as  a  suc- 
cessful and  skilfull  educator.  Dr.  Ramsay  in  his  history 
has  quoted  Dr.  Smith  the  learned  President  of  Nassau  Hall 
as  saying  that  "No  scholars  from  any  section  of  the  Unit- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA   37 

ed  States,  stood  better  examinations  than  those  of  Dr.  Wad- 
del,"  (Vol.  II.  369.)  Under  his  skilfull  management  the  In- 
stitution was  soon  built  up,  her  walls  hitherto  almost  de- 
serted, now  became  crowded  with  students;  the  standard 
of  education  lifted  in  the  state,  and  many  young  men 
through  the  force  of  his  example,  had  their  attention  turn- 
ed to  the  Presbyterian  ministry;  and  thus  becoming  means 
of  imparting  fresh  life  and  vigor  to  the  work  of  the  Pres- 
bytery. 

Another  thing  that  added  strength  and  increased  cour- 
age and  hope  was  the  organization  of  the  "Educational 
Society,"  in  1824.  Though  the  scheme  originated  with  the 
Presbyteries  of  Hopewell  and  Georgia,  it  was  wholly  unde- 
nominational; Methodists  and  Baptists  taking  part  in  it, 
though  not  to  the  same  extent.  The  object  of  the  enter- 
prise was  to  give  aid  to  all  young  men  of  all  denominations 
having  the  ministry  in  view,  and  who  needed  help  in  acquir- 
ing an  education.  At  that  age  and  time,  such  a  Society  did 
a  great  deal  of  good  and  many  a  young  man  was  enabled 
to  obtain  an  education,  who  otherwise  would  have  been 
deprived  of  so  great  a  blessing.  One  of  the  beneficaries  of 
the  fund  thus  raised  was  the  Hon.  Alexander  H.  Stephens, 
who  was  thus  enabled  to  graduate  at  Athens  College,  who 
at  the  time  expected  to  enter  the  Presbyterian  ministry, 
but  who  afterwards  changed  his  mind,  but  who  conscien- 
tiously and  faithfully  returned  every  dollar  of  the  funds 
thus  advanced,  and  who  also  in  his  turn  afterwards  assisted 
quite  a  large  number  of  young  men  in  their  efforts  to 
acquire  an  education. 

(Hopewell  had  in  1829  fourteen  beneficiaries  of  this 
and  other  funds.     Min.  Ass.  p.  429.) 

Another  thing  still,  which  contributed  additional  im- 
pulse to  this  end  was  the  action  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Col- 
lege in  offering,  upon  the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Waddell,  free 
scholarship  to  a  number  of  pious  young  men  who  might 
have  the  ministry  in  view.  Dr.  Waddell  was  so  impressed 
with  the  irreligion  and  ungodliness  of  the  lives  of  students 
that  he  felt  that  something  might  be  gained  by  thus  having 
a  number  of  pious  young  men  as  members  of  the  Institu- 


38       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  €HURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

tion,  through  the  influences  of  their  pious  lives;  and  there- 
fore suggested  the  plan  to  the  Trustees  who  approved  the 
same.  The  offer  was  accordingly  made  and  accepted  by 
quite  a  numher,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Samuel  J.  Cassels, 
who  exerted  a  happy  influence  resulting  in  a  most  gracious 
revival  of  religion,  and  the  general  uplift  of  the  spiritual 
life  and  condition  of  the  Institution. 

These  things  in  connection  with  the  general  improve- 
ment of  the  country,  conspired  to  give  new  life  and 
increased  impetus  to  the  work  of  the  Church.  The  ranks  of 
the  Presbytery  began  to  swell  with  increased  numbers,  and 
with  the  addition  of  such  names  upon  the  roll  as  Alonzo 
Francis  Cummins,  minister  and  teacher  at  Greensborough, 
Alonzo  Church,  at  first  a  teacher,  afterwards  licensed  and 
ordained  a  minister,  and  who  afterwards  became  president 
of  the  University;  Rev.  John  S.  Wilson,  stated  clerk  of  the 
Synod;  Nathan  Hoyt,  for  nineteen  years  pastor  of  the  Ath- 
ens Church,  and  quasi  chaplain  and  pastor  of  the  students; 
Samuel  K.  Talmage,  first  Rector  of  the  Academy  at  Augusta, 
then  pastor  of  the  Church  and  afterwards  president  of  Ogle- 
thorpe College;  C.  W.  Howard,  pastor  or  the  Milledgeville 
Church  and  afterwards  one  of  the  professors  of  Oglethorpe 
College;  Francis  Bowman,  for  many  years  pastor  of  the 
Greensborough  Church;  W.  W.  Cunningham,  pastor  of  the 
Lagrange  Church  and  elected  president  of  Oglethorpe  at 
the  time  of  his  death;  and  others  of  like  character.  With 
this  increase  in  the  ranks  of  the  ministry  was  a  corres- 
ponding increase  in  the  number  of  the  churches;  and  the 
whole  heart  of  the  Church  was  made  to  throb  with  new  life 
and  zeal. 

FLINT  RIVER  PRESBYTERY. 
(Good  Hope  at  First.) 

The  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  having  now  received  an 
Impetus  continued  to  grow  with  considerable  rapidity,  espe- 
cially in  the  decade  between  1820  and  1830.  In  1820  it 
reported  to  the  Assembly  only  seven  ministers,  and  four  of 
those  "without  charge,"  15  Churches  and  289  members. 
In  1830  they  reported  22  ministers,  4  licentiates,  3  candi- 
dates, 52  Churches,  with  a  membership  of  2,263.     As  these 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       39 

Churches  were  scattered  over  a  vast  area,  and  in  some 
instances  quite  remote  from  each  other,  it  became  very 
inconvenient,  if  not  impossible,  for  them  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Presbyteries.  A  petition  was  therefore 
sent  to  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  at  their 
sessions  at  Columbia  Dec.  5,  1833,  praying  that  the  Presby- 
te-fy  might  be  divided,  and  a  new  one  be  set  up  south  of  the 
Ocmulgee  river,  embracing  the  portion  of  Hopewell  be- 
tween t  he  Chattahoochee  rivers,  together  with  the 
counties  of  Newton,  Walton,  Gwinnett,  Campbell,  Carroll 
and  Heard,  to  be  known  as  the  Presbytery  of  Good  Hope. 
The  petition  was  granted  and  the  new  Presbytery  of  Good 
Hop-e  was  accordingly  set  up. 

The  Presbytery  held  its  first  meeting,  according  to  the 
direction  of  the  Synod,  at  McDonough,  Ga.,  March  20,  1834, 
and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  John  S.  Wilson, 
from  Isaiah  52,  1;  "Awake,  awake,  put  on  thy  strength,  O 
Zion."  Rev.  John  S.  Wilson  was  chosen  moderator,  and 
Rev.  James  C.  Patterson  clerk.  Present  at  the  opening,  6 
ministers,  6  elders. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  GOOD  HOPE 
MINISTERS 

James   Gamble,  S.   S.  J.  C.  Patterson,  S.  S. 

R.  'Chamberlain,  S.  S.  W.  B.  Richards,  W.  C. 

Michael  Dickson,  S.  S.  Thos.  F.  Scott,  W.  C. 

John  S.  Wilson,  P.  Wm.  K.  Patton,  S.  S. 

J.  Y.  Alexander,  S.  S.  John  Baker,  S.  S. 

Edwin  Holt,  P.  John  B.  Smith,  Licentiate. 

■  CHURCHES 

McDonough,  S.  S.  Alcovia,  V. 

Philadelphia,  S.   S.  LaGrange,  V. 

Jackson,  S.  S.  Fayettesville,  S.  S. 

Decatur,  S.  S.  Zebulon,  S.  S. 

Smyrna,  S.  S.  Union  Cuapel,  S.  S. 

Harmony,  S.  S.  Columbus,  S.  S. 

Fairview,  P.  Greenville,  V. 

Newnan,  S.  S.  Providence,  S.  S. 

Macon,  P.  Thomaston,  V. 

Hopewell,  S.  S.  Covington,  V. 

Forsyth,  S.  S.  Hamilton,  V. 

Bethesda,  S.  S.  Ephesus,  V. 

Carmel,  V. 


40       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

The  Presbytery  of  Good  Hope  continued  but  one  year, 
when  its  name  was  changed  to  that  of  Flint  River.  It  held 
its  first  regular  meeting  at  McDonough,  its  second  at  La- 
grange and  a  pro  re  nata  meeting  at  Macon  Nov.  21,  of  the 
same  year  to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation  between  Rev. 
Edwin  Holt  and  that  Church,  and  then  ceased  to  exist,  but 
was  afterwards  known  by  the  new  name  of  Flint  River. 

The  boundaries  of  this  Presbytery  extended  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Hopewell  on  the  North  to  the  Florida  line  on 
the  South,  and  from  the  Georgia  Presbytery  on  the  East,  to 
the  Chattahoochee  river  on  the  West.  These  limits  contin- 
ued till  1840,  when  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Geor- 
gia detached  the  counties  of  Decatur,  Early  and  Baker,  and 
annexed  them  to  the  newly  formed  Presbytery  of  Florida. 
Another  change  was  made  in  1842,  when  the  Synod  trans- 
ferred the  city  of  Macon  and  county  of  Bibb  to  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Hopewell;  and  by  way  of  compensation  of  the 
loss,  detaching  the  counties  of  Paulding,  Walker,  Cobb, 
Floyd,  Cass,  Cherokee,  Chattooga,  Murray,  Gilmer  and 
Dade,  from  Cherokee  Presbytery,  and  giving  them  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Flint  River.  This,  as  the  author  of  "Necrol- 
ogy," well  said,  "was  a  singular  ecclesiastical  freak." 
And  if  personal  feeling,  as  he  suggests,  and  not  the  gen- 
eral good,  was  the  controlling  motive  then  we  are  glad  that 
the  ground  of  the  action  is  not  stated,  so  that  the  secret 
may  be  forever  buried  with  the  men  of  that  generation. 
PRESBYTERY  OF  FLORIDA. 
As  Presbyterianism  continued  to  spread  towards  the 
south,  and  ministers  began  to  cross  over  into  the  state  of 
Florida,  and  to  establish  churches  in  different  places,  the 
desire  also  soon  began  to  grow,  that  a  new  Presbytery- 
might  be  formed.  A  petition  therefore  was  sent  from  the 
churches  of  Tallahassee,  Quincy,  and  Mandarin,  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Georgia,  at  its  meeting  at  Darien  AprD, 
1840  asking  for  a  division  of  said  Presbytery.  The  Pres- 
bytery agreed  to  the  request,  and  the  Presbytery  was  di- 
vided by  the  Synod  of  Carolina  and  Georgia  at  its  next 
meeting  and  a  new  Presbytery  set  up  known  as  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Florida,  by  detaching  from  the  Georgia  Presby- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       41 

teries  the  whole  of  Florida  and  adding  to  the  same  three 
of  the  counties  on  Flint  river;  as  has  already  been  stated, 
viz:  Decatur,  Early  and  Baker.  The  Presbytery  was  coijstitu- 
ted  that  Fall  and  reported  to  the  next  Assembly  as  con- 
sisting of  7  ministers,  and  5  churches,  as  follows: 

MINISTERS. 
John  Brown,  D.  D.  S.  S.  Joshua  Phelps,  S.   S. 

Philo  F.  Phelps,  P.  Richard  M.  Baker,  S.  S. 

Benjamin  Burroughs,  S.  S.         Jcel  S.  Graves,  Ag't. 

Eli  Graves,  3.  S.— 7. 

CHURCHES 
Tallahassee,  P.  Quincy,  S.  S. 

Monticello,  S.  S.  Madison,  S.  S.— 5. 

Marianna,  S.  S. 

This  Presbytery  held  its  first  meeting  at  Tallahassee, 
April  29,  1841.  Rev.  Dr.  John  Browm  was  chosen  Moderator, 
and  Rev.  Joshua  Phelps  Stated  Clerk. 

The  Presbytery  of  Florida,  continued  the  only  one  in 
the  state  for  thirty  seven  years,  at  first  growing  very  slow- 
ly, but  afterwards  more  rapidly  till  1877,  when  it  number 
ed  sixteen  ministers,  twenty-seven  churches,  scattered 
pretty  generally  over  the  state. 

It  may  be  here  added  that  while  Presbyterianism  was 
moving  Southwardly,  there  was  an  extension  at  the  same 
time  towards  the  West,  into  Alabama,  which  was  legitimate- 
ly considered  as  a  part  of  the  field  of  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina. 
So  we  find  that  in  answer  to  an  overture,  Rev.  Andrew 
Brown,  and  Rev.  James  Sloss,  both  of  the  Presbytery  of 
South  Carolina,  and  the  Rev.  Thomas  Newton  of.  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Hopewell  were  in  1821  set  up  by  the  Synod  at 
meeeing  at  Upper  Long  Cane,  Nov.  9,  1820,  into  a  Presby- 
tery known  as  the  Presbytery  of  Alabama,  which  name 
was  afterwards  changed  into  South  Alabama,  to  distin- 
guish it  from  North  Alabama.  As  many  of  the  settlers  '^f 
that  state  were  from  Tennessee,  there  was  a  dispute  f.s 
to  territory,  whether  the  new  Presbytery  should  be  under 


42       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  jurisdiction  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  or  that  of 
Tennessee,  but  settled  in  favor  of  the  former. 

This  Presbytery  continued  for  eight  years  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  till  the 
formation  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  and  South  Alabama 
in  1829,  into  which  it  entered  as  a  part  of  that  body.  Dur- 
ing these  eight  years  it  was  represented  in  the  Synod  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  but  three  times! 

It  may  also  be  here  stated  that  the  Presbytery  of  North 
Alabama  set  up  in  1824,  was  also  in  connection  with  the 
Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  for  two  years.  But 
we  have  no  evidence  of  its  representation  at  any  time  in 
the  Synod. 

PRESBYTERY  OF   CHEROKEE. 

In  1838  the  lands  of  the  Cherokees  were  delivered  to 
the  authorities  of  the  state,  and  the  Indians  removed  west. 
Upon  their  removal,  emigrants  moved  rapidly  in  filling  up 
the  country  with  settlements  on  every  side,  towns  and  vil* 
lages  multiplied  and  grew;  Presbyterians  in  common  with 
other  denominations  commenced  to  occupy  the  newly  ac- 
quired territory,  and  before  many  years  had  elapsed  had 
quite  a  number  of  churches  planted  in  different  places,  not 
only  along  the  line  of  the  W.  &  A.  railroad,  which  was 
then  in  process  of  construction,  but  also  in  the  interior. 
With  this  growth  towards  the  North,  was  added  a  similar 
extension  towards  the  South,  so  that  the  Presbytery  had 
now  not  only  covered  all  the  territory  contiguous  to  the 
river  after  which  it  was  named,  and  all  its  tributaries,  but 
even  extending  beyond;  and  therefore  it  became  necessary 
that  it  should  be  divided.  So  in  answer  to  an  overture 
asking  a  division,  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Geor- 
gia, at  its  meeting  at  Augusta,  Novembed  1843,  divided  the 
Presbytery  setting  up  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee.  The 
following  was  its  action: 

"That  the  Synod  proceed  to  set  off  and  erect  into  a  new 
Presbytery,  all  that  part  of  the  territory  now  belonging  to 
Flint  River  Presbytery,  known  as  the  "CHEROKEE  COUN- 
TRY," and  also  the  counties  of  Forsyth,  Lumpkin,  and  Un- 
ion, belonging  to  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  to  be  called 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       43 

by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Cherolcee,  to  include  all 
the  churches  within  said  counties,  and  the  ministers  there 
located,  etc." 

The  Presbytery  of  Cherokee  held  its  first  meeting  ac- 
cording to  the  direction  of  the  Synod,  at  Summerville,  Ga., 
April  18,  1844,  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  the  Rev. 
James  Gamble,  from  Acts  20,  28,  who  was  afterwards  elect- 
ed Moderator,  and  Rev.  A.  B.  McCorkle,  Stated  Clerk. 

The  Presbytery  as  thus  constituted  comprised  the  fol- 
lowing Ministers,  Licientiates,  and  churches: 

MINISTERS:  I.  W.  Waddel,  James  Gamble,  N.  A. 
Pratt,  D.  D.,  A.  B.  McCorkle. 

LICENTIATES:   Thomas  Jackson,  J.  B.  Dunwoody. 

CHURCHES:  Lafayette,  Roswell,  Marietta,  Pleasant 
Green,  Mars  Hill,  Hickory  Flat,  Walnut  Grove,  Sardis, 
Sweet  Water,  Chickamauga,  Dahlonega,  Cumming. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


SYNOD  OF  GEORGIA. 

We  have  now  reached  the  period  for  the  organization 
of  a  Synod  in  the  State.  For  the  same  reason  that  the 
Presbytery  should  be  divided,  operated  for  the  division  of 
the  Synod,  and  even  more  so  since  that  Synod  extended 
over  three  states,  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida.  Ac- 
cordingly the  General  Assembly  at  its  sessions  at  Cincinnat- 
ti  in  May  1844,  upon  an  overture  from  the  Synod  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  divided  it,  setting  up  the  Synod  of 
Georgia,  the  boundary  line  being  the  Savannah  river,  its 
territory  as  defined  by  the  Assembly  being  "the  State  of 
Georgia,  and  the  territory  of  Florida,  as  far  as  this  may 
not  interfere  with  the  limits  of  the  Synod  of  Alabama." 

The  Synod  of  Georgia  in  accordance  with  the  direction 
of  the  Assembly,  held  its  first  meeting  at  Macon,  Georgia, 
Nov.  1845,  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Thos. 
Goulding,  D.  D.,  from  Acts  XX.  28  Dr.  Goulding  was  elect- 
ed Moderator,  and  Rev.  John  S.  Wilson,  Stated  Clerk. 

At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Synod  in  1845, 
there  were  in  connection  with  it  five  Presbyteries,  with 
fifty-three  ministers  and  ninety-four  churches.  Of  the 
fifty-three  ministers  thirty  were  present,  and  twenty-three 
absent.  Of  the  ninety-four  churches,  twenty-three  were 
represented,  and  seventy-one  not  repreesnted;   as  follows: 

PRESBYTERY  OF  HOPEWELL.  MINISTERS  PRES- 
ENT: R.  Chamberlain,  N.  Hoyt,  D.  D.,  S.  K.  Talmadge,  D. 
D.,  F.  Bowman,  H.  C.  Carter,  F.  R.  Goulding,  J.  W.  Baker, 
C.  S.  Dod,  H.  Safford,  J.  C.  Baldwin,  J.  W.  Reid,  R.  Hooker, 
G.  H.  W.  Petrie,  Homer  Hendee. 

MINISTERS  ABSENT:  A.  Church  D.  D.,  John  Harrison, 
C.  P.  Beman,  E.  Pharr,  A.  N.  Cunningham. 

CHURCHES  REPRESENTED:  W.  L.  Mitchell,  Ath- 
ens; C.  M.  Richter,  Madison;  W.  O.  Alexander,  Thyatira; 
B.  B.  Hopkins,  Augusta;  W.  Clark,  Eatonton;  E.  A.  Nis- 
bet,  Macon. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       45 

CHURCHES  NOT  REPRESENTED:  Salem,  Lincoln- 
ton,  Concord,  Greensboro,  Bethany,  South  Liberty,  Mill- 
edgeville,  Mount  Zion,  Ebenezer,  Hopewell,  Bethel,  Lexing- 
ton, New  Hope,  Danielsville,  Hebron,  New  Lebanon,  Turk- 
ey Creek,  Clarksville,  Sandy  Creek,  Gainesville. 
PRESBYTERY  OF  GEORGIA. 

MINISTERS  PRESENT:   W.  Baird,  John  Winn. 

MINISTERS  ABSENT:  Wm.  McWhir,  D.  D.,  C.  C. 
Jones,  I.  S.  K.  Axson,  John  Jones,  R.  Quarterman,  A.  W. 
McClure,  H.  Axtel,  John  B.  Ross. 

CHURCHES  REPRESENTED:   By  Elders,  none. 

CHURCHES  NOT  REPRESENTED:   First  Church  Sa- 
vannah, Bryan  Chiirch,  Darien,  Harris  Neck,  Waynesville, 
Linton  Grove,  St.  Marys,  Jacksonville,  St.  Augustine. 
PRESBYTERY  OF  FLINT  RIVER. 

MINISTERS  PRESENT:  Thomas  Goulding,  D.  D.,  J.  S. 
Wilson,  J.  Y.  Alexander,  W.  M.  Cunningham,  D.  Ingles,  R. 
T.  Marks,  T.  F.  Montgomery,  J.  U.  Parsons,  J.  C.  Patter- 
son. 

MINISTERS  ABSENT:   H.  L.  Deane,  George  Dunham. 

CHURCHES  REPRESENTED:  G.  E.  Thomas,  Colum- 
bus; James  H.  Davidson,  Decatur^,  J.  J.  Pinson,  Newnan; 
H.  Smith,  Carrollton;  E.  Newton,  Long  Cane;  H.  P.  Rich- 
ards, Bethany;  M.  Robertson,  Hamilton;  Seth  Cason,  Hope- 
well, W.  A.  Skilley,  Mount  Zion;  S.  F.  Duffey,  Fellowship; 
James  Espey,  Griffin;  G.  A.  Winn,  Bethesda;  James  Mc- 
Rory,  Ephesus. 

CHURCHES  NOT  REPRESENTED:  Fairview,  Goshen, 
Covington,  Circle,  Smyrna,  McDonough,  Philadelphia,  Sa- 
lem, Union  Chapel,  White  Oak,  LaGrange,  Ebenezer,  West 
Point,  Brainerd,  Greenville,  Muscogee,  Mount  Tabor,  Berea, 
Forsyth,  Jackson,  Friendship,  Zebulon. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  FLORIDA. 

MINISTERS  PRESENT:   J.  Phelps,  R.  M.  Baker. 

MINISTERS  ABSENT:  B.  Burroughs,  Eli  Graves,  J.  S. 
Graves,  Edmond  Lee. 

CHURCHES  REPRESENTED:  Alex.  Cromartie,  la- 
monia. 

CHURCHES    NOT    REPRESENTED:      Quincy,    Talla- 


46       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

hassee,  Monticello,  Madison,  Marianna,  1st.  Church  Thom- 
as county,  1st.  Church  Lowndes  county. 

PRESBYTERY  OP  CHEROKEE. 

MINISTERS  PRESENT:  N.  A.  Pratt,  W.  H.  Moore,  R. 
A.  Milner. 

MINISTERS  ABSENT:  James  Gamble,  I.  W.  Waddel, 
A.  B.  McCorkle,  Charles  R.  Smith. 

CHURCHES  REPRESENTED:  John  Dunwody,  Ros- 
well. 

CHURCHES  NOT  REPRESENTED:  Dahlonega,  Gum- 
ming, Hickory  Flat,  Marietta,  Sweet  Water,  Mars  Hill, 
Rome,  Sardis,  Pleasant  Green,  Lafayette,  Walnut  Grove, 
Pea  Vine,  Friendship. 

Since  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  in  1845  there  has  been 
a  redistribution  of  the  Presbyteries,  changing  some  of  the 
names,  and  by  division,  setting  up  of  two  new  Presby- 
teries. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  at  Savannah,  in  1866  that 
body  ordered  the  change  of  the  name  of  Georgia  into  that 
of  Savannah,  and  that  of  Hopewell  into  that  of  Augusta; 
and  that  Flint  River  be  divided  into  two  Presbyteries,  of 
Atlanta  and  Macon,  and  the  transfer  of  the  church  of 
Macon  to  the  Presbytery  of  Macon.  The  following  is  the 
action: 

"That  the  Presbytery  be  divided  into  two,  the  upper 
half  to  be  known  as  Atlanta,  and  the  lower  portion  Ma- 
con, the  boundary  line  to  be  a  line  beginning  at  a  point  on 
the  Chattahoochee  at  the  corner  of  Troup  and  Harris  coun- 
ties, and  running  thence  on  the  most  direct  county  lines 
to  the  Ocmulgee  river,  where  the  northern  line  of  Bibb 
touches  said  river. 

That  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  city  of  Macon  be 
transferred  from  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  to  that  of 
Macon. 

That  the  following  ministers  shall  constitute  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Atlanta,  viz:  J.  S.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  John  Jones, 
W.  J.  Keith,  A.  G.  Peden,  W.  M.  Cunningham,  Robert  Lo- 
gan, James  Stacy,  H.  C.  Carter,  R.  T.  Marks,  T.  F.  Mont- 
gomery, and  J.  L.  Rogers. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORKIA       47 

The  following,  the  Presbytery  of  Macon:  David  Wills, 
C  P.  B.  Martin,  Geo.  H.  Coit,  Homer  Hendee,  Luther  H. 
Wilson,  J.  L.  King,  H.  F.  Hoyt,  Theo.  E.  Smith,  J.  N.  Brad- 
shaw,  Samuel  H.  Higgins,  D.  D.  and  John  C.  McCain. 

The  former  to  meet  at  Newnan  on  April  3d,  and  to  be 
opened  with  a  sermon  by  the  moderator  of  the  late  Flint 
River,  or  the  oldest  minister  present. 

That  Rev.  F.  R.  Goulding  be  transferred  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Georgia  to  that  of  Macon,  and  the  Rev.  I.  S.  K. 
Axson,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  C.  B.  King  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Hopewell  to  that  of  Georgia." 

The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  met  as  directed,  at  the  place 
and  time  specified,  April  3d,  1867,  and  was  opened  with  a 
sermon  by  Rev.  W.  M.  Cunningham,  D.  D.,  from  Gal.  vi., 
6-8.  Rev.  H.  C.  Carter  w^as  chosen  Moderator,  and  Rev. 
Jas.  Stacy,  Stated  Clerk. 

So  the  Presbytery  of  Macon  met  at  the  same  time  at 
Columbus,  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  David 
Wills,  D.  D.,  from  1  Tim.  iv.  14.    Rev.  Dr.  Wills  was  chosen 
Moderator  and  Rev.  J.  L.  King,  Stated  Clerk. 
PRESBYTERY  OF  ATHENS. 

In  accordance  with  an  overture  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Augusta,  the  Synod  at  its  meeting  at  Gainesville  in  Octo- 
ber 1879  divided  said  Presbytery  into  two,  with  a  line  run- 
ning with  the  Southern  lines  of  Elbert,  Oglethorpe  and 
Oconee  counties;  the  upper  receiving  the  name  of  Athens 
and  the  southern  retaining  the  name  of  Augusta. 

It  was  ordered  by  the  Synod  that  the  Presbytery  of 
Augusta  shall  be  composed  of  all  the  ministers  and  church- 
es south  of  the  line  aforesaid,  together  with  the  Rev.  James 
Woodrow,  D.  D.,  and  with  the  Licentiate  Donald  McQueen, 
and  the  Candidate  Charles  B.  Goetchius.  Said  Presbytery 
to  meet  at  Augusta,  April  14,  1880,  and  to  be  opened  with 
a  sermon  by  Rev.  Henry  Newton,  or  in  case  of  his  absence 
by  the  oldest  minister  present. 

The  Presbytery  of  Athens  to  meet  at  the  time  appoint- 
ed, and  to  be  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Re".  G.  H.  Cart- 
ledge,  or  by  the  oldest  minister  present  in  case  of  his 
absence. 


48       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IX  GEORGIA 

These  Presbyteries  met  as  appointed.  Tliat  of  Augusta 
met  at  Augusta  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev. 
Henry  Newton  from  Acts  1-5.  Rev.  Mr.  Newton  was  elected 
Moderator  and  Rev.  Geo.  T.  Goetchius  Stated  Clerk. 

The  Presbytery  of  Athens  met  at  Athens  at  the  same 
time  and  was  opened  with  a  sermon  by  Rev.  G.  H.  Cart- 
ledge  from  Zach.  iv.  6.  Rev.  T.  P.  Cleveland  was  elected 
Moderator  and  Rev.  C.  W.  Lane,  D.  D.,  Stated  Clerk. 

[Foi-  the  namps  of  ministers  and  cliurches  composing 
these  Presbyteries  see  Appendix). 

DIVISION  OF  THE  SYNOD  AND  SETTING  UP  OF  THE 
PRESBYTERY  OF  ST.  JOHNS. 

To  complete  the  view  of  the  outward  and  Ecclesiasti- 
cal changes  of  the  Synod  we  have  only  to  make  mention  of 
the  division  of  the  Synod  and  the  formation  of  the  Synod 
of  South  Georgia  and  Florida. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  at  Columbus 
In  1878,  an  overture  was  presented  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Florida  asking  the  Synod  to  divide  said  Presbytery  and 
also  to  give  its  consent  to  the  formation  of  a  new  Synod  of 
Florida,  by  setting  off  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah,  and 
to  unite  the  same  with  the  two  Presbyteries  aforesaid. 

The  Synod  agreed  to  the  request,  so  far  as  the  division 
of  the  Presbytery  was  concerned,  but  deferred  ?.ction  louch- 
ing  the  transfer  of  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah,  till  th<ify 
should  hear  from  said  Presbytery.  The  Presbytery  hav- 
ing expressed  its  strong  opposition  to  the  transfer,  the 
Synod  declined  any  further  action  in  the  matter  till  its 
next  meeting. 

At  its  next  meeting  in  1879  the  matter  came  up  again 
in  an  overture  from  the  Presbyteries  of  Florida  and  St. 
Johns,  and  the  petition  for  a  new  Synod  renewed.  After 
much  discussion  and  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  com- 
mittee on  overtures,  the  Synod  again  deferred  action  till 
the  next  meeting. 

The  Synod  held  its  next  meeting  at  Thomasville  in 
1880.  The  necessity  for  a  new  Synod  becoming  more  and 
more  obvious,  and  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah  having 
given  its  consent  for  the  formation  of  the  new  Synod,  upon 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       49 

application,  tlie  General  Assembly  diviaed  the  Synod,  set- 
ting up  the  new  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida,  con- 
sisting of  the  three  Presbyteries  of  Savannah,  Florida  and 
St.  Johns. 

SYNOD  OF  SOUTH  GEORGIA  AND  FLORIDA. 

This  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  continued  in 
existence  for  ten  years  from  1881  to  1891,  till  the  forma- 
tion of  Suwanee  Presbytery  when  by  request  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Savannah,  and  overture  from  the  Synod  of  South 
Georgia  and  Florida,  the  General  Assembly  restored  the 
Presbytery  of  Savannah  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  and  also 
in  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  former,  changed  its 
name  into  that  of  Synod  of  Florida. 

The  Synod  of  Georgia  as  now  (1912)  constituted  is 
composed  of  the  following  six  Presbyteries,  viz:  Athens, 
Atlanta,  Augusta,  Cherokee,  Macon  and  Savannah;  com- 
prising one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  ministers,  two  hun- 
dred and  thirty-seven  Churches,  and  twenty  thousand  and 
six  hundred  and  forty-nine  members. 


CHAPTER  V. 


INTERNAL  DEVELOPMENT. 
Having  traced  the  outward  history  of  the  Church, 
from  its  incipient  beginning,  as  the  Presbytery  of  Hope- 
well, to  its  present  position  as  a  Synod  with  its  six  at- 
tendent  Presbyteries,  we  now  proceed  to  enter  more  par- 
ticularly into  its  inner  life,  and  to  note  some  of  its  in- 
ternal struggles  and  trials,  its  victories  and  defeats.  And 
as  God's  people  of  old  were  "chosen  in  the  furnace  of  af- 
fliction" Isaiah  48.  10,  we  would  expect  that  this  people 
would  likewise  have  their  share  of  trials  and  drawbacks, 
as  was  the  case  not  only  in  their  earlier  struggles  but 
later  on,  in  the  devastation  and  interference  of  a  destruc- 
tive war,  which  paralysed  the  whole  country;  and  as  well 
also  as  in  the  internal  strife  and  discussions,  which  for 
some  time  disturbed  her  peace  and  impeded  her  onward 
march.  Before  speaking  of  these  things  however,  we  will 
first  rehearse  the  story  of  her  enlargement  and  growth, 
especially  in  some  of  her  more  prominent  cities. 

PRESBYTERIANISM  IN  ATLANTA. 
The  story  of  Presbyterlanism  in  Atlanta,  especially 
in  its  beginning,  is  an  interesting  one.  God  many  times 
uses  the  passions  of  men,  as  other  means  for  the  exten- 
sion of  his  kingdom.  He  makes  the  wrath  of  man  to 
praise  him;  the  remainder  of  that  wrath  he  restrains,  Ps. 
76,  10.  Paul  and  Barnabas  differed  as  to  the  policy  of  the 
early  church  in  the  use  of  men.  The  contention  became 
sharp;  insomuch  that  those  honored  servants  of  the  Lord 
separated,  Paul  taking  Silas,  and  Barnabas,  John  Mark, 
and  went  on  different  missions.  The  result  was  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom.  In  1784,  two  parties 
were  formed  in  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  the  one  with- 
drawing and  forming  the  second  Synod  of  New  York, 
which,  doubtless,  was  the  means  of  the  more  rapid  ex- 
tension of  the  Presbyterian  church.     So  with  the  division 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       51 

in  1861,  into  Nortli  and  South.  So  with  the  other  denom- 
inations. We  are  not  advocating  these  divisions  as  right, 
but  simply  stating  the  fact  that  they  exist,  and  that  God 
will  overrule  them,  as  all  other  evils,  for  his  glory  and  the 
advancement  of  his  cause.  It  may  seem  to  us  a  strange 
method  of  church  extension,  yet  it  cannot  be  denied  that 
it  is  one  of  God's  methods  for  advancing  the  interest  of  his 
kingdom.  We  have  an  illustration  of  this  principle  in  th-e 
case  before  us. 

As  early  as  1848,  when  Atlanta  was  yet  but  a  small 
town,  it  was  reported  to  Synod  that  a  Presbyterian 
Church  had  been  organized  in  it,  due  mainly  to  the  labors 
of  Rev.  John  S.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  the  pastor  of  the  Decatur 
church  near  by,  he  being  one  of  the  first  ministers  to 
preach  in  the  place,  w^hen  it  was  but  the  railroad  term- 
inus, and  who  afterwards  organized  the  same,  and  doubt- 
less had  hoped  that  as  the  church  grew  with  the  place 
he  would  become  the  settled  pastor.  But  in  this  he  was 
mistaken,  for  a  while  at  least.  For  the  church,  as  is  often 
the  case,  then  preferred  a  young  man,  rather  than  an  aged 
veteran  of  the  cross  who  had  been  so  abundant  in  labors, 
and  so  blessed  in  his  work.  So  they  engaged  the  services 
of  a  young  man,  Rev.  J.  L.  King,  as  stated  supply,  who  had 
but  recently  been  ordained,  who  was  at  that  time  the  in- 
stalled pastor  of  Fellowship  church.  He  supplied  them 
for  ten  months.  In  the  mean  while  some  disaffection  hav- 
ing arisen  in  the  church,  a  complaint  was  sent  up  to  the 
Presbytery  at  West  Point  in  1853  stating  certain  grievances 
with  reference  to  the  election  as  pastor.  The  Presbytery 
replied  that  the  relationship  of  Rev.  Mr.  King  and  the 
Church  was  unconstitutional,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  he 
was  at  that  time  the  installed  pastor  of  the  Fellowship 
church,  and,  said  they,  "that  though  we  see  no  evidence 
that  Bro.  King  and  the  Elders  in  Atlanta  intended  any 
violation  of  the  requirement  of  the  Constitution,  yet  it  is 
evident  that  the  relation  thus  formed  should  immediately 
cease;  that  the  Church  may  be  unembarrassed  in  taking 
such  steps  as  the  choice  of  Pastor  or  Stated  Supply;  we 
therefore  recommend  that  Bro.   King  should  immediately 


52       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

resign  the  place  he  now  occupies,  and  that  the  elders  of  that 
church  take  such  measures  as  are  strictly  in  conformity 
with  the  requirements  of  the  Book  of  Government  to  se- 
cure a  supply  for  their  pulpit."  Min.  P.  155. 

Rev.  Mr.  King  accordingly  resigned  his  position  as 
stated  supply,  and  the  church  then  elected  Rev.  John  E. 
DuBose,  who  was  regularly  installed  pastor  and  so  reported 
to  the  Synod  the  next  year,  1854. 

Unfortunately,  however,  things  did  not  move  on  as 
desired.  The  same  year  we  find  a  petition  of  the  church 
sent  up  to  Synod  asking  the  "change  of  the  Presbyterial 
connection  of  that  church  from  the  Presbytery  of  Flint 
River  to  that  of  Cherokee."  Min.  1854,  P.  8.  the  petitioners, 
doubtless,  feeling  that  a  large  portion  of  the  Presbytery- 
was  not  in  sympathy  with  them  in  their  dissatisfaction. 
Bu:  the  overture,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Bills  and  Overtures,  was  afterwards  withdrawn. 

The  main  source  of  the  trouble  was  that  there  were 
two  parties  in  the  church,  one  Northern  and  one  Southern 
with  Lheir  political  affinities,  and  as  the  new  pastor,  though, 
otherwise  an  able  and  acceptable  minister,  yet  himself  be- 
ing intensely  Southern  in  his  feeling  (a  native  of  South 
Carolina),  could  not  expect  to  give  satisfaction  to  all  par- 
ties. To  understand  the  situation  the  reader  must  bear  in 
mind  that  this  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  great  struggle 
between  the  North  and  South. 

There  was  also  another  element  which  greatly  com- 
plicated matters.  There  were  several  worshippers  at  the 
church,  not  members,  but  pew  holders,  and  who  as  sup- 
porters of  the  church,  claimed  the  right  to  vote  for  the 
pastor,  hence  the  following  query  which  was  presented  to 
Presbytery. 

"In  churches  where  it  has  been  deemed  advisable  to 
rent  the  seats  to  non-communicants,  or  such  persons  as  do 
not  submit  to  the  censures  of  the  church,  does  the  fact  of 
their  renting  seats  in  the  church  entitle  such  persons,  con- 
stitutionally, to  vote  in  the  election  of  a  pastor  independ 
ently  of  any  rule  or  ordinance  in  such  churches?"  (Min.  P. 
156). 


REV.  C.  I.  STACY 


Pastor  Presbyterian  Church,  Elberton,  Ga.,  AuiLhor  of  "The  Oldest 
Church  in  the  Synod  of  Georgia"  and  "Seven  World  Movements," 
and  who  completed  and  Edited  this  Work,  after  the  death  of 
the  Author, 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       53 

The  records  of  the  Presbytery  show  that  a  motion  was 
made  that  it  be  answered  in  the  affirmative,  for  which 
a  substitute  was  offered  "that  it  is  the  privilege  of  each 
church  to  adopt  such  a  rule  in  relation  to  this  subject  as 
it  may  deem  most  prudent  and  proper."  After  which  it 
was  decided  'by  the  Presbytery  that  the  matter  be  referred 
to  the  General  Assembly  in  the  form  of  an  overture.  The 
overture  was  accordingly  prepared  and  sent  up  to  the  As- 
sembly, and  after  being  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Com- 
mittee was,  at  the  request  of  the  Delegate,  Rev.  W.  M. 
Cunningham,  withdrawn. 

As  a  result  of  the  condition  of  hings  Mr.  DuBose,  at 
the  Presbytery  April,  1857,  made  application  for  the  disso- 
lution of  the  pastoral  relation,  whereupon  Presbytery  in- 
structed the  church  to  send  a  delegate  to  an  adjourned 
meeting  to  be  held  at  Griffin,  June  25,  to  show  reason  why 
the  request  should  not  be  granted.  At  that  meeting  the 
delegates  appeared.  A  paper  was  presented  containing 
the  action  of  the  congregation  and  certifying  that  Dr. 
Logan  and  Wm.  Markham  were  appointed  to  state  the 
feelings  and  views  of  the  congregation;  also,  a  paper  con- 
taining the  views  and  wishes  of  the  minority  of  the  Ses- 
sion, and  a  communication  from  sundry  persons,  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  and  of  families  connected  therewith, 
containing  reasons  why  the  relation  should  not  be  dis- 
solved. 

After  hearing  all  parties,  Dr.  Cunningham  offered  q. 
resolution  that  the  decision  be  deferred  till  the  fall  meet- 
ing. Rev.  R.  T.  Marks  offered  the  following  as  a  substi- 
tute, which  was  adopted: 

"1st.  That  the  application  of  Rev.  Jno.  E.  DuBose  be 
not  granted,  but  that  in  view  of  the  prevailing  differences 
of  opinion  in  the  Atlanta  church  on  matters  not  involving 
any  viial  principles  of  doctrine  or  church  polity,  and  yet 
threatening  to  destroy  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the 
church,  it  is  hereby  directed,  that  the  said  congregation 
divide  and  constitute  two  distinct  congregations;  the 
friends  and  supporters  of  the  present  pastoral  connection 
to  constitute  one,  and  the  opposing  members,  another  of 


54       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

these  separate  congregations,  and  when  this  division  and 
new  organization  shall  be  effected,  the  two  congregations 
report  their  action  to  this  body  at  its  next  sessions. 

(Note)  Some  of  the  older  members  of  the  Synod  will 
doubtless  remember  a  series  of  articles,  on  "Modern  Eras- 
tianism,"  which  appeared  about  that  time,  in  the  columns 
of  the  Southern  Presbyterian. 

2nd.  Resolved,  That  it  be  enjoined  upon  the  whole 
church  at  Atlanta  to  make  a  just  and  equitable  division  of 
the  property  belonging  to  the  church,  having  reference  in 
this  division  to  the  present  value  of  the  property,  and  also 
the  amount  originally  contributed  by  the  retiring  mem- 
bers. The  parties  retaining  the  present  building,  to  pay  to 
the  parties  retiring  a  just  and  equitable  proportion  accord- 
ing to  numbers,  and  according  to  the  amounts  of  the  orig- 
inal contributions  paid  in  the  erection  of  a  new  church  ed- 
ifice; and  the  parties  receiving  these  funds  to  surrender 
all  claims,  right  or  title  to  the  property  now  held  in  com- 
mon. 

3rd.  Resolved,  That  when  the  contemplated  division 
shall  have  been  effected,  the  parties  retaining  the  present 
church  building  shall  be  known  and  recognized  as  the 
First  Pres'byterian  church  and  the  retiring  members  under 
the  organization  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church,  of  the 
city  of  Atlanta. 

4th.  Resolved,  That  Drs.  Wilson  and  Patterson,  and 
Elder  Levi  Willard,  of  Decatur,  be  a  committee  to  effect 
the  division  and  superintend  the  organization  of  the  new 
organizations."  Min.  P.  294. 

An  appeal  was  taken  from  this  action  to  the  Synod, 
on  part  of  a  portion  of  the  church,  Mr.  Wm.  Markham 
being  one  of  the  appellants.  Rev.  Messrs.  Rogers  and 
Cunningham  were  appointed  to  defend  the  action  of  the 
Presbytery. 

The  action  of  the  Synod,  after  hearing  the  case,  was 
both  to  sustain  and  not  to  sustain.  It  sustained  the  ap- 
peal against  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  simply  upon  the 
ground  that  it  u^ed  the  word  "Direct"  instead  of,  "Advise, ' 
and  thus  transcending  its  authority  in  the  case.    But  it  did 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       55 

not  sustain  the  appeal  against  the  action  of  the  Presby- 
tery in  refusing  to  accept  the  resignation  of  the  pastor  be- 
cause a  dissolution  in  their  judgment  seemed  uncalled  for. 

The  following  resolution  was  also  adopted: 

Whereas,  the  pastor  and  Elders  of  the  church  at  At- 
lanta, present  at  this  session,  have  appeared  on  the  floor  of 
Synod,  and  with  every  evidence  of  sincerity  and  solemnity 
retraced  every  offensive  imputation  against  each  other's 
characters  as  gentlemen,  Christians,  and  officers  of  the 
church;  and  whereas,  the  said  parties  have  publicly  taken 
each  other  by  the  hand,  declaring  before  God  and  their 
brethren  that  they  forgive  each  other  all  past  offences,  and 
promise  by  the  grace  of  God  to  live  in  love  and  peace,  and 
to  seek  individually  to  heal  every  wound  in  their  church 
caused  by  recent  animosities;   therefore: 

"Resolved,  That  this  Synod  with  humble  and  earnest 
thanksgiving  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  for  his 
great  grace  in  giving  so  happy  a  termination  to  these  un- 
pleasant difficulties,  commend  these  brethren  to  the  con- 
tinuance and  increase  of  that  same  grace,  and  pray  tha: 
they  may  be  able  to  prove  their  present  sincerity  by  ever 
after  "Keeping  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bonds  of 
peace."  Min.  1857  P.  21. 

Thus  the  unhappy  division  terminated  in  a  peaceable 
separation,  something  wisely  done,  as  it  was  obvious  to 
the  Presbytery  and  Synod,  and  every  one  saw  that  "there 
were  two  nations  in  the  womb,"  and  that  the  only  thing 
that  could  be  done  was  to  divide.  And,  fortunately,  there 
were  no  special  difficulties  in  the  way,  the  two  different 
wings  being  entirely  homogeneous.  So  they  were  also 
evenly  divided  in  numbers,  wealth,  influence  and  contri- 
butions. According  to  the  direction  of  Presbytery,  the  one 
party  set  a  valuation  upon  the  house  and  offered  the  other 
to  take  or  pay.  The  retiring  party  under  the  leadership  of 
J.  L.  Rogers,  who  had  been  chosen  by  them  as  pastor,  sold 
their  half  to  the  remaining  portion  and  selected  the  site 
of  their  present  building  on  Washington  Street;  and  first 
erected  a  suitable  edifice  in  1859,  which  was  taken  down 
a  few  years  since,  and  the  present  structure  erected. 


56       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

According  to  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  the  retir- 
ing party  was  to  be  known  as  the  "Second  Church,"  but 
being  unwilling  to  be  regarded  as  second,  the  term  carry* 
ing  the  idea  of  inferiority  at  least  as  to  time,  they  re- 
quested that  the  name  might  be  changed  to  "Central" 
which  was  readily  agreed  to  by  the  Synod.  Hence  it  is 
we  have  no  second  church  in  the  city  of  Atlanta,  nor  as 
to  that,  in  many  other  places  or  communions,  the  term 
"Second  Church,"  in  ecclesiastical  parlance,  being  ex- 
ceedingly unsavory  to  the  most  of  men. 

These  two  churches  though  entering  into  a  treaty  of 
peace,  nevertheless  for  several  years,  as  might  be  expect- 
ed, looked  upon  each  other  with  a  jealous  eye,  until  the 
calling  of  Drs.  G.  B.  Strickler  and  E.  H.  Barnett,  the  form- 
er to  the  pastorate  of  the  Central,  and  the  latter  to  that  of 
the  First  Church.  This  was  a  most  fortunate  thing.  These 
men  did  a  great  deal  for  Atlanta  and  Presbyteriansm,  as 
well  as  religion,  in  entirely  healing  the  breach.  Being  warm 
personal  friends  in  Virginia,  they  used  all  their  influence 
in  reuniting  the  two  congregations  in  Christian  love  and 
sympathy,  by  working  together  and  the  exchanging  of  pul- 
pits, the  one  taking  his  vacation  in  the  summer  and  leav- 
ing his  congregation  in  charge  of  the  other  during  his  ab- 
sence, the  pastor  remaining  preaching  in  the  morning  to 
his  own  people,  and  in  the  evening  to  the  congregation  of 
his  absent  colleague.  Pastors  are  ofttimes  responsible  for 
the  unchristian  spirit  frequently  seen  between  rival  con- 
gregations. 

Thus  prepared  by  an  overruling  Providence,  who 
brings  good  out  of  evil,  these  two  churches  have  become 
centres  of  influence  and  power,  and,  so  to  speak,  the  pa- 
rents of  nearly  all  the  other  churches  that  have  since 
sprung  up  in  the  city.  We  here  insert  the  different  pas- 
tors who  have  served  these  churches. 

ATLANTA  CHURCH. 
Rev.  John  S.  Wilson,  1848-1850.  Rev.  J.  L.  King,  1850. 
Rev.  J.  E.  Dubose,  1854-1858. 

Atlanta  Church  divided  in  1858,  into  First  and  Cen- 
tral. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       57 

PASTORS  AT   FIRST  CHURCH. 

Rev.  Jno.  S.  Wilson,  1858—1873;  Rev.  J.  H.  Martin, 
1874—1882;  Rev.  E.  H.  Barnett,  1883-1898;  Rev.  R.  O. 
Flinn,  Ass't.,  1898—1899;  Rev.  C.  P.  Bridewell,  1899— 
1906;  Rev.  W.  L.  Lingle,  1907—1911;  Rev.  Hugh  K.  Walk- 
er, 1912. 

The  first  building  was  put  up  in  1850-2  and  dedicated 
July  4,  1852.  During  the  seige  of  Atlanta,  1864,  the  wall 
was  perforated  by  a  shell  from  the  enemy's  guns.  The 
present  building  was  erected  1878,  and  at  this  date,  1912, 
the  congregation  is  considering  selling  same  and  securing 
a  new  site. 

PASTORS  AT  CENTRAL  CHURCH. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Rogers,  1859—1863;  Rev.  R.  Q.  Mallard, 
1863—1866;  Rev.  R.  K.  Porter,  1867—1869;  Rev.  J.  T.  Left- 
wich,  1870—1879;  Rev.  W.  E.  Boggs,  1880—1882;  Rev.  G. 
B.  Strickler,  D.  D.,  1883—1896;  Rev.  T.  H.  Rice,  D.  D., 
1897—1908.  Rev.  Dunbar  H.  Ogden,  D.  D.,  is  the  present 
pastor. 

The  first  building  of  the  Central  Church  was  erected 
1859;  the  second  in  1878;  Sunday  School  Annex  in  1906. 
CHURCHES  SINCE  ORGANIZED. 

1st.  Moore  Memorial.  This  church  was  originally  the 
Third  Church,  the  name  being  afterwards  changed,  in 
1891,  in  honor  of  Mr.  W.  A.  Moore,  the  philanthropic  El- 
der in  the  First  Church,  who  did  so  much  for  it  in  a  finan- 
cial way.  It  was  an  off-shoot  of  the  First  Church,  being 
first  a  Sabbath  School  and  mission  station  (*Note)  on 
Haynes  and  Jones  Streets  and  being  organized  into  a 
church  on  Jones'  Avenue,  the  building  being  moved  to 
Baker,  now  Latimer  Street.     A  new  building  was  erected 

*(Note)  Mr.  Virgil  Norcross  was  Superintendent.  In 
1872  he  placed  himself  under  the  care  of  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry  from  the  First  Church. 
He  was  examined  at  Conyers  in  April  1874,  with  a  view  to 
licensure,  and  went  so  far  as  to  preach  his  trial  sermon 
from  Matthew  16,  28.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day, 
he  withdrew  his  application  for  Licensure  "for  the   present." 


58       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

on  Luckie  street,  its  present  location,  and  set  up  as  a 
church  in  1874,  for  a  number  of  years  being  upheld  and 
supported  by  the  First  Church.  Its  first  pastor,  the  Rev. 
R.  C.  Ketchum,  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  T.  D.  Latimer, 
1876;  Rev.  F.  Jacobs  D.  D.,  1877;  Rev.  M.  C.  Britt,  1878; 
Rev.  N.  K.  Smith,  1879—1883;  Rev.  K.  P.  Julian,  1884; 
Rev.  N.  K.  Smith,  a  second  time,  1886—1889;  Rev.  A.  R. 
Holderby  D.  D.,  1890. 

2nd.  Hunter  Street.  The  second  organization  was 
this  church,  being  a  mission  of  the  Central  Church,  and 
organized  in  1876,  and,  so  to  speak,  under  the  care  and 
financial  assistance  of  the  Central,  as  the  mother.  Its  first 
and  only  pastor  was  the  Rev.  W.  A.  Dabney.  On  account  of 
being  unfortunately  located  this  church  was  dissolved  in 
1879. 

3rd.  Fourth  Church.  The  next  organization  was  the 
Fourth  Church,  located  on  Jackson  Avenue.  At  first  it 
was  a  station  of  the  First  church,  and  was  assisted  finan- 
cially jointly  by  the  First  and  Central  churches.  It  was  set 
up  as  an  independent  church  in  the  year  1883.  Its  first 
minister  was  Rev.  Z.  B.  Graves,  since  supplied  by  Rev.  T. 
P.  Cleveland,  D.  D.,  1885—1896;  Rev.  F.  R.  Graves,  1897— 
1900;  T.  C.  Cleveland  1900;  Rev.  W.  W.  Brimm,  D.  D., 
1902;  Rev.  T.  H.  Newkirk,  1906—1910.  It  changed  its 
name  and  location  to  Druid  Park,  1910,  and  is  now  served 
by  Rev.  T.  E.  Converse,  D.  D. 

4th.  West  End.  This  church  was  organized  in  1887, 
and  composed  at  first  largely,  if  not  altogether,  of  mem- 
bers from  the  two  older  churches,  w^ho  were,  on  account 
of  distance  inconveniently  situated  to  attend  the  services 

At  the  fall  meeting  at  Carrollton,  Presbytery  having  satis- 
factory evidence  that  he  had  withdrawn  from  the  Presby- 
terian Church  and  connected  himself  with  the  Baptist 
church,  revoked  the  license  it  had  previously  given  him 
as  "Lay  Exhorter,"  to  hold  religious  services,  authorized 
by  the  Assembly  at  Mobile  in  1869,  and  erased  his  name 
from  the  list  of  its  Candidates.  Dr.  Norcross  is  now  a 
prominent  Minister  in  the  Baptist  Church. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       59 

of  said  churches.  Its  first  minister  was  Rev.  N.  B.  Mathes 
from  1889  to  1896,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Bull 
1896—1903,  and  Rev.  L.  R.  Walker  from  1904  to  1910.  Rev. 
W.  E.  Hill  is  the  present  pastor. 

5th.  Wallace  Church.  Formerly  the  Fifth  Church,  or- 
ganized in  1888.  This  church  was  also  the  mission  work 
of  the  First  Church  and  named  after  Major  Campbell  Wal- 
lace, one  of  its  ruling  elders,  who  did  so  much  for  it 
financially,  and  in  every  way  showing  his  interest.  The 
building  was  first  located  on  W.  Fair  Street  but  recently 
removed  to  its  present  location  on  Walker  Street,  which 
has  given  it  new  impetus  and  life.  Its  pastors  and  sup- 
plies have  been  Rev.  N.  Keff  Smith,  1889;  Rev.  Geo.  L. 
Cook,  1891;  Rev.  R.  A.  Bowman,  1893—1897;  Rev.  J.  S. 
Sibley,  1897—1901;  Rev.  T.  P.  Cleveland,  D.  D.,  1901—1907; 
Rev.  J.  D.  Keith,  1908—1910;  Rev.  W.  H.  Chapman,  1910. 

6th.  Georgia  Avenue.  This  church  was  set  up  in 
1890,  and  was  composed  principally  of  members  from  the 
Central  Church,  ic  being  one  of  the  mission  schools.  Its 
ministers  have  been:  Rev.  J.  W.  Pogue,  1890;  Rev.  J  L. 
Rogers,  1891;  Rev.  Chalmers  Eraser,  1892 — 1900;  Rev.  W. 
H.  Frazer  1900—1902;  Rev.  J.  W.  Atwood,  1903;  Rev.  B. 
H.  Holt,  1904—1906;  Rev.  H.  J.  Williams,  1907. 

7th.  Barnett  Church.  Named  after  the  lamented  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Church;  was  organized  1891.  Being  in  a 
sparsely  populated  portion  of  the  city,  its  progress  has 
been  slow.  It  was  first  a  Sabbath  School  and  mission  sta- 
tion of  the  First  Church.  Its  pastors  have  been:  Rev.  J. 
K.  Smith,  1891;  Rev.  L.  B.  Davis,  1894—1896;  Rev.  J.  B. 
Hillhouse,  1897 — 1900;   now  served  by  Rev.  A.  L.  Johnson. 

8th.  Kirkwood.  This  church  was  organized  in  1892. 
Being  situated  half  way  between  Atlanta  and  Decatur,  its 
charter  members  were  principally  drawn  from  the  church- 
es in  both  of  these  places.  Its  pastors  have  been:  Rev.  R. 
O.  Flinn,  1895—1897;  Rev.  T.  C.  Cleveland,  1898;  Rev.  C. 
R.  Nesbit,  1901;  Rev.  W.  G.  Woodbridge,  1902—1906;  Rev. 
John  I.  Armstrong,  1906. 

9th.  jnman  Park.  Was  organized  in  1896.  Its  orig- 
inal membership  was  drawn  from  almost  all  the  churches 


60       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

of  the  city.  Its  pastors:  Rev.  D.  G.  Armstrong  1897—1901; 
Rev.  J.  E.  Jam€s,  1903;  Rev.  J.  B.  Ficklen,  1904.  It  now 
occupies  one  of  the  most  convenient  and  attractive  church 
buildings  of  its  size,  in  our  Synod. 

10th.  North  Avenue.  For  a  number  of  years  Presby- 
terians felt  the  importance  of  a  church  located  upon 
Peachtree  Street,  and  in  1898  a  number  or  these  with- 
drew from  First  and  Central  Churches,  and  together  with 
others  from  the  other  churches  organized  themselves  into 
a  church,  and  called  the  Rev.  R.  O.  Flinn  (then  tempora- 
rily supplying  the  First  Church),  to  become  their  pastor, 
who  accepted  the  call  and  was  installed  the  next  year, 
1899.  They  soon  erected  an  elegant  stone  building  upon 
the  corner  of  Peachtree  and  North  Avenue,  and  have 
since  more  than  doubled  their  membership.  Mr.  Flinn  is 
still  their  pastor. 

11th.  Westminster  Church.  On  account  of  some  dis- 
agreement among  the  members  of  the  Fourth  Church,  (an- 
other illustration  of  the  same  strange  principle  of  church 
extension  already  commented  upon)  a  large  part  of  said 
church  withdrev/,  and  in  1901  organized  themselves  into  a 
church,  and  recently  erected  a  handsome  edifice  on  the 
Boulevard.  They  called  the  Rev.  Charles  R.  Nisbet  to  be 
their  pastor,  who  accepted  the  call  and  continued  to  sup- 
ply them  till  1906,  when  Rev.  B.  F.  Guille,  became  their 
pastor.  The  church  has  greatly  increased  in  membership 
and  influence  and  soon  will  be  one  of  the  strongest  in  the 
city.  Since  1908  Rev.  A.  A.  Little,  D.  D.,  has  been  the 
successful  pastor  of  this  congregation. 

12th.  Fryor  Street.  This  is  the  last  church  organized 
in  the  city.  At  first  a  Sabbath  school  and  mission  station 
of  the  Central  church,  but  organized  into  a  church  in 
1902,  the  first  pastor  being  Rev.  H.  C.  Hammond,  who  was 
succeeded  in  1911  by  Rev.  S.  R.  Preston,  D.  D.  This  church 
is  now  erecting  a  sple'ndid  house  of  worship. 

While  speaking  of  the  city  churches  we  may  also 
mention  two  others  that  are  suburban,  viz.,  Hapeville,  or- 
ganized in   1894,  and   College  Park,   organized  in  1900,  as 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       61 

these  are  more  or  less  identified  with  those  within  the  city, 
many  of  th-e  members  doing  business  within  the  city. 

From  the  above  exhibit  it  would  appear  that  Presby- 
terianism  has  been  making  a  gratifying  progress  in  this 
growing  capital  of  the  State,  and  no  doubt  more  rapidly 
advanced  by  the  unhappy  division  already  mentioned;  and 
shows  that  God  is  the  God  of  the  Passions  of  men,  as  well 
as  the  forces  of  nature;  and  can  and  does  overrule  alike 
for  His  glory,  the  tumults  of  the  people,  and  the  raging 
of  the  sea. 

Another  remark:  This  progress  is  also  due  in  a  great 
measure  to  the  spirit  of  colonization.  Instead  of  centraliz- 
ing and  keeping  every  thing  in  one  place,  as  in  some  other 
communities,  Atlanta  has  been  pushing  out  in  every  direc- 
tion, in  church,  as  in  temporal  things,  and  thus  increasing 
and  multiplying.  "There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  in- 
creaseth,  there  is  that  wathholdeth  more  than  is  meet  and. 
it  tendeth  to  poverty."  (Prov.  11.  24.)  Other  communi- 
ties may  w-ell  profit  by  the  example. 

COLORED  CHURCHES. 

The  history  of  Presbyterianism  in  the  city  would  be 
incomplete  without  a  mention  at  least,  of  the  colored 
churches.  Unlike  the  above  mentioned  these  have  made 
little  or  no   progress. 

There  was  a  colored  church  organized  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Atlanta  in  1867  but  after  a  varied  experience  was 
stricken  from  the  roll  in  1869.  In  1875  another  effort  was 
made  in  behalf  of  the  colored  people,  but  this  also  was 
alike  unsuccessful,  and  in  like  manner  was  stricken  from 
the  roll,  the  church  having  connected  itself  with  the 
Knox  Presbytery,  of  the  Northern  church  in  about  1894. 
In  1879  another  church  was  organized,  having  only  a  gen- 
eral connection  with  the  Presbytery,  said  Presbytery  being, 
so  to  speak,  only  a  sort  of  guardian,  upon  the  idea  then 
obtaining,  looking  to  the  organization  of  a  colored  Pres- 
byterian Church,  South.  But  the  connection  with  the 
Presbytery  being  too  loose,  the  guardianship  being  only 
in  name,  the  scheme  fell  through  and  the  name  dropped 
from  the  roll,  and  the  church  received  into  the  Northern 


62       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

church  and  is  still  under  the  care  of  the  Knox  Presbytery 
and  after  a  terrible  struggle,  se-ems  now  to  be  able  to  hold 
its  own. 

PRESBYTERIANISM  IN  SAVANNAH. 

The  oldest  regularly  organized  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  state  that  has  come  down  to  us  is  the  Independent 
Church  at  Savannah.  The  supposition  is  that  the  congre- 
gation to  which  Mr.  McLeod  ministered  at  Darien  was 
also  regularly  organiz-ed,  but  of  this  we  have  no  positive 
proof.  But  whether  regularly  organized  or  not,  it  was 
broken  up  on  account  of  the  removal  of  Mr.  McLreod  in 
1741,  the  present  Darien  Church  being  no  more  than  its 
nominal  successor. 

The  first  notice  we  have  of  the  Independent  Church 
was  the  application,  made  June  3rd,  1755,  to  the  Council 
at  Savannah  for  a  lot  upon  which  to  erect  a  house  of  wor 
ship.  This  was  a  petition  signed  by  forty  three  persons, 
freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  the  province,  setting  forth 
that  they  were  "Dissenters  from  the  Church  of  England, 
and  professors  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
agreeable  to  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  and 
being  destitute  of  a  house  to  meet  in  to  worship  God  ac- 
cording to  the  form  of  their  profession,  they  were  willing, 
could  they  obtain  a  vacant  lot  in  Savannah,  to  build  a 
house  thereon  at  their  own  expense,"  (Col.  Rec.  Vol.  VII 
P.  183).  This  petition  was  granted,  and  a  warrant  issued 
Jan.  16,  1756,  "to  Jonathan  Bryan,  James  Edward  Powell, 
Esq.,  Robert  Bolton,  James  Miller,  Joseph  Gibbons,  Wm. 
Gibbons,  Benj.  Farley,  Wm.  Wright,  David  Fox,  Younger, 
and  John  Fox,  in  trust,  a  lot  in  Savannah,  for  a  Presby- 
terian Meeting  House,  known  by  letter  K,  in  Deckers 
Ward."  P.  313. 

This  house  was  built  on  said  lot,  on  the  west  side  of 
Market  Square,  between  Julian  and  Bryan  Streets,  facing 
West,  and  was  used  until  destroyed  by  the  great  fire  in 
1796.  After  the  destruction  of  this  house  the  Presbyter* 
ians  rented  the  unused  house  of  the  Baptists,  until  the 
erection  of  their  second  building. 

Dec.  3rd,  1800,  a  bill  was  introduced  into  the  Legisla- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       63 

ture  and  passed,  the  title  of  which  was  "to  increase  the 
funds,  and  add  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Independent  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  city  of  Savannah,"  and  proceeds  to 
set  forth  the  fact  that  "whereas,  the  Independent  Congre- 
gation of  the  city  of  Savannah  did,  under  the  provincial 
government,  obtain  in  said  city,  a  lot  known  in  the  plan  of 
said  city,  by  letter  "K,"  to  build  thereon  a  church  to  be 
denominated,  "The  Independent  Presbyterian  Church;" 
which  was  accordingly  built  and  remained  dedicated  to 
the  service  of  the  Almighty  God,  until  the  same  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire;  and  whereas,  there  are  no  successors  to 
the  original   Trustees,  except  Barach  Gibbons. 

"Be  it  therefore  enacted,  that  Joseph  Bryan  and 
Joseph  Gibbon  Telfair,  be  appointed  Trustees  to  act  in 
concert  with  the  said  Barach  -Gibbons  in  aid  and  in  addi- 
tion to  the  said  Barach  Gibbons,  to  continue  in  office,  to  in- 
crease the  funds,  and  to  rebuild  the  church  on  lot  K.,  to  be 
denominated  and  known  by  the  Independent  Church  in  the 
city  of  Savannah."   (Claytons  Comp.  P.  248.) 

This  church  was  never  built,  but  another  was  erected 
on  lot  "Q,"  in  the  year  1800,  to  which  the  congregation 
removed.  Hence  we  find  that  an  act  was  passed  by  the 
legislature  Dec.  8,  1806,  entitled  "an  act  to  incorporate  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  city  of  Savannah,"  in  which 
is  set  forth  the  fact: 

"Whereas,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of 
Savannah,  had  a  lot  granted  unto  them,  Jan.  16,  1756,  and 
known  by  the  letter  "K,"  on  which  a  house  had  been 
erected  and  in  use  by  those  who  were  professors  of  the 
doctrines  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  agreeable  to  the 
Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  and  that  said  house 
was  destroyed  with  fire  1796,  and  that  in  the  year  1800,  the 
professors  of  the  said  Presbyterian  religion,  were  enabled 
by  subscription  to  build  a  church  on  their  other  lot  known 
by  the  letter  "Q,"  etc.,  prayed  that  said  act  be  repealed, 
and  that  the  memorialists  be  made  a  body  corporate; 
which  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  following  made  Trus- 
tees, viz:  Thomas  Newell,  Charles  Harris,  Francis  Cour- 
voisie,  John  G.  Williamson,  John  Scriven,  Barach  Gibbons, 


64       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Thos.  F.  Williams,  Fingal  T.  Flyming,  and  Benjamin 
Maurice,  under  the  name  and  style  of  "The  Trustees  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  city  of  Savannah."  (Idem 
P.  325.  Condensed.)  ^ 

This  building  was  located  on  St.  James  Square,  be- 
tween York  and  President  Streets,  and  had  its  steeple, 
blown  down  by  the  storm  of  1804. 

The  next  building  on  Bull  Street  was  commenced 
in  1817,  and  completed  in  1819,  at  a  cost  of  over  $96,000, 
when  it  was  dedicated  by  Dr.  KoUock,  w'ho  was  then  pas- 
tor. This  house  was  completely  destroyed  by  fire  April  6, 
1889,  and  rebuilt  in  precisely  the  same  style  as  before. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  seems  to  have  been  made 
another  effort  to  erect  another  and  independnt  building  in 
1769.  In  the  Georgia  Gazette  of  March  3rd,  1769,  we  find 
a  call  to  "the  subscribers  of  the  Presbyterian  Meeting 
House  to  be  built  in  Savannah,  to  meet  on  Friday,  May 
5th,  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Peat,  to  choose  Trustees,  and 
to  take  under,  consideration  other  matters  relative  to  said 
building."  Signed  Lachlan  McGilvery,  James  Cuthbert, 
Josepih  Cuthbert,  and  Wm.  Green. 

In  the  same  Paper  of  July  16th,  we  find  a  notice  to  the 
subscribers,  that  "one  fifth  of  the  subscriptions,  were  im- 
mediately wanted,  and  to  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  Thomas 
and  John  Roe,  Vendue  Masters.  Signed  'by  John  Graham, 
Lachlan  McGilvery,  Geo.  Baillie,  Lewis  Johnson,  John  Roe, 
Joseph  Cuthbert,  and  Wm.  Greene. 

So  in  a  manuscript  letter  of  Dr.  Zubly  to  Dr.  Ezra 
Stiles,  dated  April  19,  1769,  we  find  him  saying:  "Since 
my  last,  a  Presbyterian  meeting  is  set  on  foot  in  this  place, 
as  the  house  I  preach  in  is  upon  so  general  a  plan  as  to 
receive  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith.  Some  think 
it  done  out  of  opposition  to  me;  however,  flPhil.,  1,  18. 
(Howe.  Vol.  II.  P.  361.) 

Thus  it  appears  there  was  some  dissatisfaction  among 
some  of  the  Presbyterians,  at  least  in  1769,  either  with 
Dr.  Zubly,  or  the  management  of  the  Church,  which  pro- 
moted this  outside  effort.     Whether  the  church  was  com- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       65 

pleted,  where  located,  by  whom  supplied,  we  have  no 
means  of  knowing. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  Independent  Church  was  the 
Rev.  Zoachim  Zubly,  "the  son  of  David  Zubly,  of  Puris- 
burg"  (Col.  Rec.  Vol.  1.  P.  440.),  who  came  over  at  the  re- 
quest of  some  'German  and  Swiss  settlers  at  Varnonberg 
and  Acton,  and  as  assistant  to  Mr.  Zouberbuhler,  thea 
minister  at  Savannah,  in  1745,  because  he  could  preach 
to  them  in  French  and  German.  But  not  being  able  to 
agree  with  the  Trustees  on  terms,  (only  10  pounds  being 
offered  him),  he  went  to  Frederica,  where  he  preached  a 
few  years  after  the  death  of  Rev.  Driesler,  in  1745,  and 
where  he  continued  a  few  years,  and  then  went  to  Orange- 
burg, S.  C,  (Strobel  P.  118),  after  which  he  removed  to 
Wappetaw,  S.  C,  near  Charleston,  where  he  remained  till 
1759,  when  he  removed  to  Savannah,  at  the  earnest  solici- 
tations of  the  English  and  German  congregations  in  that 
place.  He  preached  his  farewell  sermon  in  Charleston, 
Jan.  28,  1759.  (Howe.  1,  266)  and  removed  to  Savannah, 
and  took  charge  of  the  church  there,  and  continued  pastor 
till  1777. 

He  was  a  man  of  fine  parts  and  prominence,  and  was 
very  zealous  in  the  cause  of  the  Province,  and  on  account 
of  which  he  was  honored  by  the  people  in  making  him  a 
member  of  the  State  Provincial  Congress,  (He  preaching 
to  them  a  sermon  by  special  request)  and  afterwards  send- 
ing him  as  one  of  the  representatives  to  the  Provincial 
Congress  at  Philadelphia,  1775-6,  but  on  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  however,  he  sided  with  the  Royalists,  not 
being  in  favor  of  a  separation  'from  the  mother  country, 
and,  therefore,  left  Philadelphia  and  returned  to  Savan- 
nah. This  deflection  rendered  him  so  unpopular  that  it 
was  necessary  for  him  to  leave  the  city,  being  banished 
with  the  loss  of  half  of  his  estate.  Thus,  as  Stevens  says 
of  him,  "while  doing  no  harm  to  Georgia,  he  brought  mis- 
ery upon  himself."  Vol.11,  121.  Rev.  Archibald  Simpson 
says  of  him  in  his  Journal:  "Mr.  Zubly  died  some  years 
ago,  having,  in  his  last  days,  acted  a  very  inconsistent 
part,   changing   sides   from   Congress  to   the   British,   and 


66       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

died  despised  by  both.  Yet  I  am  persuaded  he  was  a  good 
man,  and  that  he  is  now  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
Howe.  I.   468. 

Dr.  Zubly  went  to  Carolina  after  leaving  Savannah, 
where  he  remained  till  the  Royalist  government  was  again 
established  in  1779,  when  he  returned,  having  resumed 
his  charge,  which  he  served  till  his  death.  There  seems  to 
be  some  doubt  as  to  where  he  died.  Stevens  and  Jones 
say  in  Savannah,  Judge  E.  J.  Harden  says  some  where  in 
South  Carolina  on  the  23rd  of  July,  1781,  and  his  remains 
afterwards  brought  to  Savannah.     Sprague.  II.  221. 

Two  of  the  streets  of  Savannah  were  named  after 
him,  and  still  retain  their  names. 

Although  this  Church  has  always  been  Independent, 
yet  it  has  been  the  warm  supporter  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  its  contributions,  which  have  been  conducted 
through  tihe  channels  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  their 
Missionary  operations  being  conducted  through  that 
channel,  they  supporting  a  missionary  in  a  foreign  field, 
in  that  way. 

The  following  have  been  its  ministers: 

Dr.  Zubly,  1760—1781;  Mr.  Phillips,  1793;  Rev.  Mr. 
McCall,  1794,  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  1800;  Rev.  Robert  Kerr, 
18—;  Rev.  Samuel  Clarkson,  till  1806;  Dr.  Henry  Kollock, 
1806 — 19;  Messers.  Wallace  and  Capers,  missionaries  for 
one  year:  Rev.  Mr.  Frazer;  Rev.  John  White;  Dr. 
Daniel  Baker,  Dr.  Snodgrass,  1822 — 3;  Rev.  S.  B.  Howe, 
1&23— 7;  Rev.  Samuel  Brown,  1827;  Dr.  J.  C.  Stiles,  1829; 
Dr.  Willard  Preston  till  1831;  Dr.  I.  S.  K.  Axson,  1857— 
1886;  Dr.  Leonard  Bacon,  1886—7,  Dr.  J.  F.  Drips,  1889— 
9S;  Dr.  J.  Y.  Fair,  1895—1909;  Rev.  Rockwell  S.  Brank 
1910. 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

The  Independent  Church  was  the  only  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  city  of  Savannah  till  1827.  About  that  time 
several  of  the  members  of  that  church  becoming  dissatis- 
fied with  the  style  and  title  of  said  church,  with  the  seem- 
ing anomaly  of  being  Presbyterian  and  independent  at 
the  same  time,   petitioned  the  Presbytery  of  Georgia,   to 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       67 

organize  them  into  a  church  more  in  accordance  with  the 
Scriptur-e  model  as  it  seemed  to  them.  Accordingly  at  a 
called  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  held  in  Savannah  June 
6,  1827,  the  petition  was  acted  on,  and  a  church  organized, 
consisting  of  14  members,  with  three  Ruling  Elders;  under 
the  name  of  "The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Savannah." 

The  following  are  their  names:  Joseph  Gumming,  Mrs. 
Joseph  Gumming,  Edward  Coppee,  Lowell  Mason,  *  G.  G. 
Faries,  William  King,  Jas.  C.  A.  Johnson,  Capt.  Crabtree, 
Mrs.  Crabtree,  Mrs.  L.  Gardiner,  Mrs.  Clifton,  Mrs.  Har- 
buck,  Miss  Spalding,  Miss  Lavender  Messrs.  L.  Mason,  J. 
Gumming,  and  G.  G.  Faries,  Ruling  Elders. 

The  little  flock  worshipped  in  a  frame  building,  known 
as  "Lyceum  Hall"  on  the  Southwest  corner  of  Bull  and 
Broughton  Streets. 

1.  Their  first  pastor  was  Rev.  John  Boggs,  a  native  of 
Savannah,  but  educated  at  the  North,  received  from  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  and  installed  Nov.  30th, 
1828;  the  relation  continuing  but  a  year,  being  dissolved 
Dec.  1st,  1829,  and  he  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of 
Hopewell. 

2.  Their  second  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  C.  Jones,  a  native 
of  Liberty  County,  who,  after  a  vacancy  of  two  years  was 
installed  pastor  Nov  27,  1831.  Mr  Jones'  ministry  con- 
tinued but  one  year  and  a  half,  when  he  resigned  to  be- 
come evangelist  to  the  colored  people. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  steps  were  taken  to  erect 
a  house  of  worship,  which  was  put  up  on  the  south  side  of 

*The  well  known  musician  and  composer.  It  was  when 
in  Savannah,  and  upon  the  request  of  Miss  Mary  Wallace 
Howard,  a  sister  of  Rev.  C.  W,  Howard,  and  afterwards 
the  wife  of  Rev.  F.  R.  Goulding,  a  young  lady  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions,  that  he  com- 
posed that  grand  old  Missionary  Hymn,  set  to  the  words 
of  Bishop  Heber,  "From  Greenland's  Icy  Mountains."  This 
statement  was  made  to  the  writer  in  1848,  by  Mrs.  Goulding 
herself. 


68       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHUkCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Broiighton    Street    between    Barnard    and    Jefferson,    and 
dedicated  May  31st,  1834. 

3.  The  third  pastor,  after  another  season  of  supplies, 
was  Rev.  Joseph  L.  Jones,  received  from  Flint  River  Pres- 
bytery, and  who  was  installed  May  21st,  1837,  and  con- 
tinued pastor  till  his  death  in  1841. 

4.  The  fourth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Benjamin  M.  Palm- 
er, a  Licentiate  of  Charleston  Presbytery,  who  was  or- 
dained and  installed  March  6,  1842.  Dr.  Palmer  continued 
but  one  year,  for,  having  received  a  call  from  the  Church 
in  Columbia,  the  relation  was  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery 
at  their  meeting  at  Midway,  Jan.  17,  1843. 

5.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  John  B.  Ross,  a  member 
bf  West  Hanover  Presbytery,  who  was  received  and  in- 
stalled the  first  Sabbath  in  May  1845,  by  a  committee  of 
the  Presbytery.  Dr.  Ross  served  the  church  for  eight  and 
a  half  years.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  at  Savan- 
nah October  27,  1853,  the  relation  was  dissolved,  and  at  the 
next  meeting,  at  Riceboro,  he  was  dismissed  back  to  West 
Hanover  Presbytery. 

6.  The  sixth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Porter,  a 
licentiate  of  Charleston  Presbytery,  who  was  received 
Nov.  8,  1855,  and  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  Presbytery, 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  on  Sabbath  Nov.  25,  1855. 
Dr.  Por'ter  served  the  church  faithfully  for  eighteen  years. 
For  two  years  1863 — 5,  he  was  Confederate  Chaplain  of 
the  5th  Regiment  of  Georgia  Cavalry.  He  died  Dec.  21, 
1873,  greatly  regretted  by  his  entire  congregation. 

In  1854  the  lot  on  Monterey  Square  w^here  the  build- 
ing now  stands  was  purchased  and  a  lecture  room  placed 
upon  it,  where  the  services  were  held  till  1872,  when  the 
present  building  was  completed  and  dedicated  by  Dr.  B. 
M.  Palmer  June  9th  of  that  year. 

7.  The  seventh  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  K.  McFar- 
land,  recdived  from  Chickasaw  Presbytery,  and  installed 
Nov.  14,  1874,  and  who  continued  for  seven  years,  until  the 
middle  of  1881.  During  the  year  1876  the  city  of  Savan- 
nah was  visited  by  the  terrible  scourge  of  yellow  fever, 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       69 

Mr.   McFarland  stood  at  his   post  until  stricken   with  the 
disease,  and  narrowly  escaped  with  his  life. 

8.  Rev.  T.  M.  Boyd,  the  eighth  pastor,  was  received 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Lexington  and  installed  in  March, 
1881,  and  continued  till  August,  1883,  when  he  resigned  his 
charge,  went  to  Arkansas,  joined  the  Northern  Church, 
and  died  in  San  Francisco,  January  27,  1906,  while  ser^  "ng 
as  Evangelist  of  San  Francisco  Presbytery. 

9.  After  a  short  supply  of  eight  months  by  Rev.  J.  P. 
Strider,  of  Virginia,  Rev.  J.  W.  Rogan,  then  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Thomasville,  Ga.,  was  chosen  pastor,  and  con- 
tinued from  January  4,  1885,  till  June  15,  1890.  Dr.  Rogan, 
after  leaving  Savannah,  joined  the  Northern  Church  and 
is  now  pastor  of  the  Flemington  Church,  New  Jersey. 

10.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Lachlan  Vass,  the 
father  of  Rev.  L.  C.  Vass,  Missionary  to  Africa,  who  had 
been  pastor  of  the  Newbern  Church,  N.  C,  and  who  min- 
istered to  them  from  the  Fall  of  1890  to  the  Spring  of 
1896;  and  w^ho  d'ied  the  Fall  of  the  year  of  his  removal. 

11.  The  eleventh  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Arthur  J. 
Smith,  received  from  the  Classis  of  Greene,  who  was  in- 
stalled Dec.  1896,  and  resigned  his  positioii  in  the  Fall  of 
1900,  that  he  might  enter  the  field  as  an  evangelist. 

12.  The  twelfth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  W.  P.  McCorkle, 
who  was  at  the  time  supplying  the  Graham  Church,  N.  C, 
and  was  called  to  the  pastorate  and  regularly  installed 
February  1901,  and  continued  pastor  till  1907,  when  he  was 
dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Roanoke. 

13.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  W.  Moore  Scott,  was  re- 
ceived from  the  Presbytery  of  Memphis,  April  15,  1908, 
and  installed  the  same  year. 

For  a  long  time  the  church  being  under  the  shadow 
of  the  mother  church,had  quite  a  hard  struggle  for  exis- 
tence, but  now  seems  to  be  in  a  flourishing  condition, 
having  acquired  a  sufficient  momentum  to  enable  it  to 
move  more  easily  and  successfully  in  the  future  than  in 
the  past. 

WESTMINSTER  CHURCH. 

As  early  as  1868,  a  Sabbath  School  Mission  was  estab- 


70       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

lished  in  Anderson  Street,  by  the  Independent  Church. 

This  enterprise  continued  for  a  number  of  years  under 
the  fostering  care  of  said  Church,  being  supplied  success- 
ively by  different  assistant  ministers  of  the  parent  church 
viz:  by  Rev.  N.  P.  Quarterman  for  two  years  1872-3,  Rev. 
E.  C.  Gordon  1874—1880,  Rev.  R.  P.  Kerr  1881—1882  and 
by  Rev.  R.  Henderson,  1885. 

This  system  of  supplies  continued  till  1886,  when  the 
Mission  became  an  independent  church,  received  under  the 
care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah,  and  employed  Rev.  R. 
Q.  Way  as  pastor,  who  served  them  for  seven  years,  1886 — 
1893. 

In  1894  Rev.  W.  A.  Nisbet  was  elected  and  installed 
pastor,  and  still  continues  as  such. 

The  church  edifice  erected  in  1869,  is  now  used  for 
Sabbath  School  and  prayer  meetings  but  the  congregation 
is  worshipping  in  the  Memorial  Hall  erected  by  Mrs.  Ella 
S.  Lawton,  to  the  memory  of  her  husband,  Gen.  A.  R. 
Lawton,  which  she  has  generously  offered  to  be  used  by  all 
denominations.  The  congregation  however,  have  pur- 
chased a  lot  and  expect  soon  to  commence  to  build. 

The  name  of  the  church  has  been  twice  changed: 
first  in  1880  from  Anderson  Street,  to  Second  Church; 
then  again  in  1901  to  Westminster. 

PRESBYTERIANISM   IN  AUGUSTA. 

The  town  of  Augusta  was  laid  off  in  1735.  At  an  early 
date  a  church  edifice  was  erected  under  Episcopal  juris- 
diction, as  all  were  at  that  early  date,  it  being  the  estab- 
lished religion.  In  the  setting  up  of  the  parishes  in  1858, 
the  town  of  Augusta  and  surrounding  country  was  de- 
clared to  be  known  by  the  title  of  "The  parish  of  St. 
Paul's."  This  first  building  was  burned  during  the  war, 
and  the  ground  turned  over  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Acad- 
emy. A  second  building  was  erected  by  them  and  for 
common  use,  on  the  ground  of  the  old  Cornwallis  Fort,  and 
the  present  site  of  the  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church.  This 
building  was  leased  to  a  little  band  of  Presbyterians,  in 
1804,  who  had  been  gathered  together  by  Rev.  Washington 
McNight,  who  had  been  licensed  and  ordained  a  short  time 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       71 

before  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York.   The  ministry  of 
Mr.  McNight  was  a  short  one,  as  he  died  September  5,  of 
the  same  year,  leaving  a  membership  of  thirteen. 
FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  Septem- 
ber, 1805,  at  Liberty,  Mr.  John  R.  Thompson,  of  New  York, 
and  at  that  time  the  Rector  of  the  Academj^  was  received 
under  its  care  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  At  the  next 
regular  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  at  Shiloh,  April  10, 
1806,  the  church,  upon  a  petition  presented  by  Mr|  Wil- 
liam Fee,  was  received  under  the  care  of  Presbytery,  as 
St.  Paul's  Church.  Mr,  Thompson  was  licensed  at  the 
same  meeting.  At  an  intermediate  meeting  of  the  Pres- 
bytery Mr.  Thompson  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor; 
Rev.  A.  N.  Cunningham  preaching  the  sermon,  and  Rev, 
Francis  Cummins  delivering  the  charges  to  the  pastor  and 
people.     (See  Min.  Pres.) 

Mr.  Thompson  continued  for  ten  years,  during  which 
time  there  was  an  increase  of  74  in  the  membership.  His 
health  failing,  the  church  gave  him  a  vacation,  and  at 
their  instance  he  took  a  trip  North  but  never  returned, 
having  died  at  Nassau,  New  Providence,  De'cember  18, 
1816. 

It  was  during  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Thompson  that  the 
present  building  was  erected.  In  the  beginning  of  1809 
the  Trustees  of  St.  Paul's  church  refused  to  continue  the 
lease  upon  the  ground  of  impartiality,  as  the  building  was 
used  by  all  denominations.  This  placed  upon  the  Presby- 
terians the  necessity  of  having  a  building  of  their  own. 
Wherefore  they  secured  the  present  lot  on  Telfair 
Street,  had  the  Church  incorporated  under  the  title  of 
Christ's  Church,  and  at  once  proceeded  to  erect  the  pres- 
ent building,  to  which  the  steeple  was  afterwards  added, 
and  had  the  same  dedicated  May  17,  1812,  Dr.  Thompson 
preaching  the  sermon  from  Psalms  84:1.  (1)  Note.  The 
name  was  changed  to  First  Church,  Augusta,  by  the  Legis- 
lature in  1836. 

(2)  Note.  In  1796,  by  an  act  of  Legislature  a  lot  one 
acre  in  size,  was  conveyed  to  a  Board  of  Trustees,  among 


72       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  number  being  John  Springer  and  Moses  Waddell,  for 
the  church. 

Upon  the  death  of  Dr.  Thompson,  tlie  Presbytery  of 
Harmony,  under  whose  care  the  church  was  at  that  time, 
appointed  Rev.  John  Joyce  to  supply  the  pulpit  four  times 
at  Augusta  and  once  at  Waynesborough. 

The  next  regular  pastor  was  the  Rev,  Wm.  Moderwell, 
formerly  of  New  Castle  Presbytery,  who  had  been  re- 
ceived into  Harmony  Presbytery  April  4,  1821,  and  was  in- 
stalled pastor  by  that  Pres'bytery  November  1,  1821.  Dr. 
Howe,  in  his  history,  Vol.  II.  339,  says  that  he  was  install- 
ed by  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  at  their  regular  sessions 
November,  1821.  This  is  a  mistake.  The  Presbytery  of 
Hopewell  did  not  meet  in  November  or  at  Augusta  in  1821, 
but  at  Athens,  Sepetember  7,  1821.  The  church  of  Augusta 
belonged  to  Hopewell  till  the  setting  up  of  Harmony  Pres- 
bytery in  1809,  when  it  was  placed  in  that  Presbytery; 
and  therefore  fell  into  Georgia  Presbytery  when  set  up  in 
1821,  and  continued  until  1824,  w^hen  it  was  again  cut  off 
and  placed  back  in  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell.  Mr.  Mod- 
erwell never  was  a  member  of  Hopewell  till  that  time.  He 
was  installed  by  Harmony  Presbytery  just  before  his 
transfer  to  Georgia  Presbytery,  in  1821,  and  continued  a 
member  of  Georgia  Presbytery  till  its  dismemberment  in 
1824. 

During  the  year  1827  the  church  enjoyed  the  services 
of  two  supplies,  Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage,  and  Rev.  S.  S.  Davis. 
The  reason  for  two:  Dr.  Talmage  was  Rector  of  the  Acad- 
emy at  the  time,  and  Dr.  Davis  acting  as  agent  for  Prince- 
ton Seminary,  (See  Min.  Ass.  p.  126.)  At  the  end  of  the 
year  Mr.  Davis  retired  and  Dr.  Talmage  was  made  regular 
pastor  and  so  continued  till  he  resigned  the  pastorate  to 
accept  the  presidency  of  Oglethorpe,  to  which  he  had  been 
elected  in  1835. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  N.  Cunningham,  D.  D., 
who  after  supplying  the  church  during  the  year  1837,  re- 
ceived a  call  as  pastor  and  was  installed  in  1838.  Being 
accused  of  plagiarism.  Dr.  Cunningham  tendered  his  res- 
ignation, which  was  accepted  in  April  1842, 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       73 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Chas.  S.  Dod  who  was  pas- 
tor from  1842—1845.. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Ebenezer  Rogers,  received 
from  New  Hampshire  Association,  and  installed  pastor 
December,  1847,  and  after  six  years  .of  service  resigned 
December,  1853. 

From  1853 — 1857  the  church  was  without  a  regular  pas- 
tor but  was  supplied  by  several  different  ministers.  The 
pulpit  was  temporarily  filled  by  Rev.  Messrs.  D.  H.  Porter, 
H.  Bingham,  Rev.  Jno.  F.  Baker  and  Rev.  John  A.  Mc- 
Lung,  all  of  whom  were  called  but  declined. 

After  these  Rev.  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  of  Ohio,  but  then 
pastor  at  Staunton,  Va.,  was  called  and  accepted  the  po- 
sition and  was  installed  the  second  Sabbath  in  January 
1858. 

After  the  battle  of  Chickamaugua,  the  Church,  like 
many  others,  was  used  as  a  hospital,  for  the  wounded. 

In  the  summer  of  1870,  after  a  successful  ministry  of 
twelve  years,  Dr.  Wilson  resigned  his  position  to  accept 
a  Professorship  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Colum- 
bia. 

Dr.  Wilson  w^as  succeeded  by  Rev.  Robert  Irvine,  D. 
D.,  of  Montreal,  Canada,  who  w^as  called  to  the  church 
October  1870,  and  regularly  installed  April  14,  1872.  It 
was  during  his  pastorate  that  the  office  of  Deacon  was  es- 
tablished. Dr.  Irvine  continued  pastor  till  his  death,  April 
8, -1881.  Dr.  Irvine  was  a  most  eloquent  and  successful 
minister,  and  withal  very  instructive,  having  unusually 
clear  views  of  the  typical  teachings  of  the  Old  Scriptures. 
He  died  greatly  lamented,  and  honored  above  all  his  pre- 
decessors, in  having  his  remains  deposited  in  the  church 
yard  with  a  life  size  figure  of  him  over  his  tomb.  But  like 
many  other  great  and  good  men,  he  was  not  entirely  free 
from  foibles,  as  well  as  enemies;  that  entirely  relieved 
him  of  the  remarkable  denunciation  of  the  Master,  "Woe 
be  unto  you  when  all  men  speak  well  of  you." 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Wm.  Adams,  D.  D.,  of  Louis- 
ville Presbytery,  U.  S.  A.,  who  was  installed  May,  28,  1882, 
and  continued  pastor  till  Devember  9,  1888. 


74       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  T.  Plunket,  D.  D.,  a  na- 
tive of  Franklin,  Tennessee,  a  graduate  of  Clarksville 
University  and  Columbia  Seminary,  and  who,  at  that  time, 
was  supplying  the  Jefferson  Aveuue  church  of  Detroit,  who 
was  elected  January  19,  1890.  Under  the  ministry  of  Dr. 
Plunket  tihe  church  greatly  prosper-ed,  not  only  in 
large  additions  to  its  membership,  but  in  general  develop- 
ment in  all  lines  of  Christian  activity.  Dr.  Plunket  re- 
moved to  Alabama  in  1909,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Joseph  R.  Sevier. 

The  church  has  been  greatly  honored  in  being  the 
birthplace,  so  to  speak,  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  first  General  Assembly  met  in  this  church 
December  4,  1861,  composed  of  commissioners  previously 
appointed  by  the  Presbyteries,  and  organized  the  South- 
ern Presbyterian  Church.  There  were  present  55  minis- 
ters and  38  Ruling  Elders,  93  in  all,  and  among  them  many 
men  of  marked  ability.  The  body  continued  in  session  for 
fourteen  days.  The  writer,  though  not  a  member,  enjoyed 
the  rare  privilege  of  being  present  and  hearing  all  the 
deliberations  and  discussions. 

The  Assembly  met  in  this  church  a  second  time  in 
1886,  at  which  time  the  subject  of  evolution  was  considered 
and  condemned. 

The  church  was  also  honored  by  having  its  pastor 
made  the  moderator  of  the  Assembly  which  met  at  Fort 
Worth  in  1905. 

The  church  held  its  centennial  in  May  15-18,  1904, 
being  organized  by  Rev.  Washington  McKnight  in  1804. 
The  centennial  exercises  may  be  found  in  a  published  vol- 
ume. 

EFFORTS  AT  CHURCH  EXTENSION. 

For  a  long  time  the  church  remained  in  its  isolation, 
like  the  church  in  Savannah  and  many  others  of  the  early 
churches. 

The  first  effort  was  made  in  Dr.  Rogers'  day.  Being 
a  man  of  missionary  spirit,  instead  of  insisting  upon  the 
idea  of  centralization,  he  advocated  the  plan  of  coloniza- 
tion.    Under  his  influence  a     parochial  school  was  estab- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       75 

lish€d  on  upper  Greene  Street,  where  a  lot  was  purchased 
and  a  church  building  erected,  and  a  pastor,  Rev.  W.  H. 
Thompson,  chosen.  Bat  after  Mr.  Rogers  left,  the  enter- 
prise, through  lack  of  interest  and  proper  support,  de- 
clined, and  in  1856  the  church  was  disbanded  by  order  of 
the  Presbytery,  and  the  building  turned  over  to  the  colored 
people,  and  was  afterwards  sold  to  the  Methodists,  who 
now  have  a  flourishing  church  which  the  Presbyterians 
might  have  retained  and,  with  proper  management,  made 
one  of  their  strong  holds. 

GREEN  STREET  CHURCH.  (NO  2.) 

Having  seen  the  error  in  letting  the  opportunity  slip, 
another  effort  was  made,  another  lot  w^as  bought  and  a 
church  building  erected  thereon  and  dedicated  March  1, 
1879,  the  dedicatory  sermon  being  preached  by  Dr.  W.  S. 
Plumer.  The  church  was  organized  1879.  The  church  was 
first  termed  Second  Church,  but  t'he  name  changed  to 
Green  Street  in  1905. 

The  following  are  the  ministers  who  have  served  the 
church: 

Rev.  Geo.  T.  Goetchius,  from  1880  to  1885;  Rev.  T.  M. 
Lowry,  from  1887  to  1891;  Rev.  J.  K.  Smith,  from  1893  to 
1895;  Rev.  B.  M.  Shive,  from  1896  to  1897;  Rev.  G.  G. 
Sydnor,  from  1898  to  1901;  Rev.  H.  W.  Burwell,  from 
1902  to  1904;  Rev.  Geo.  E.  Guille,  from  1905  to  1912. 

The  church  is  now  on  an  independent  basis;   and  has 
started   on  a   career  of  usefulness,   and  bids   fair  soon  to 
become  one  of  the  leading  churches  of  the  Synod. 
REID  MEMORIAL. 

In  1876,  by  the  will  of  Mr.  Robt.  Reid,  a  member  of  the 
First  Church,  the  church  came  in  possession  of  a  legacy  of 
$17,500,  upon  condition  that  a  church  edifice  be  erected  on 
the  corner  of  his  lot  in  Summerville,  otherwise  known  as 
the  "Sand  Hills."  This  fund  was  left  in  the  hands  of 
three  members  of  the  First  Church.  According  to  the 
terms  of  the  will  the  House  has  been  erected.  And  when 
completed  $7,000  remained  in  th^  hands  of  the  Trustees, 
"Which,  by  good  management  and  careful  investment,  has 
increased  and  today  amounts  to  $20,000,  and,  yet  no  organ- 


76       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ization  has  yet  be-en  effected."  (Centennial  Memorial,  51) 
During  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Irvine,  Rev.  W.  S.  Bean  was 
employed  to  supply  the  Reid  Memorial  pulpit,  to  which  the 
Riverside  Chapel  was  added  the  next  year.  After  the  re- 
moval of  Rev.  Mr.  Bean,  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Boggs,  D.  D.,  un- 
dertook the  Missionary  work  of  the  church,  which  then 
consisted  of  weekly  services  at  the  Reid  Memorial  and 
the  Sabbath  School  work  in  the  Factory  District.  Since 
then  no  regular  services  have  been  kept  up,  and 
only  such  as  the  pastor  of  the  First  Church  has  been  able 
occasionally  to  render.  As  a  result,  the  Reid  Memorial 
though  with  an  endowment  of  $20,000,  still  stands  as  a 
silent  memorial  of  the  great  liberality  of  the  donor,  but 
with  no  story  of  its  own  achievement  to  tell.  Whether  this 
be  in  accordance  with  the  wish  of  the  testator,  may 
seriously  be  questioned  by  the  disinterested  observer. 
SIBLEY  CHURCH. 

This  church  is  located  in  the  Factory  district,  and  is 
largely  due  to  the  liberality,  interest  and  support  of  Mr. 
W.  C.  Sibley,  who  was  an  Elder  in  the  First  church,  and 
who  was  president,  and  large  owner  of  the  stock  of  the 
mills,  who  not  only  gave  the  ground  but  also  erected  the 
building.  The  organization  of  the  church  was  reported  to 
the  iSynod  of  Georgia,  November  1891.  The  first  minister 
who  supplied  it  was  the  Rev.  W.  K.  Boggs  in  1892.  The 
Rev.  J.  M.  Plowden  supplied  them  in  1893;  Rev.  Paul  S. 
Rhodes,  1903;  Licentiate  G.  O.  Griffin,  1904;  Rev.  J.  A. 
Thompson  in  1906;  Rev.  A.  M.  Lewis,  1910.  The  church  is 
gradually  gaining  strength,  and  bids  fair,  under  the  regu- 
lar ministration  of  the  word,  to  become  a  centre  of  consid- 
erable influence  and  power  in  the  community  in  which  it 
is  located. 

RIVERSIDE  CHAPEL. 

For  several  years  efforts  were  made  to  establish  a 
mission  church  at  Riverside,  but  from  some  cause  or 
other  such  efforts  have  been  unavailing  and  the  field 
abandoned. 

PRESBYTERIANISM  IN  MACON. 

In  1806,  Fort  Hawkins  was  built  upon  the  eastern  bank 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       77 

of  the  Ocmulgee  as  a  trading  post.  The  County  of  Bibb 
was  created  in  1822,  and  the  following  year  the  town  was 
laid  off  on  the  western  bank  opposite  the  fort  and  named 
Macon  in  honor  of  Gen.  Nathaniel  Macon,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  commenced  t&  grow  with  the  increase  of  the 
population  of  the  surrouning  country.  The  place  was  fre- 
quently visited  by  Mr.  Joseph  C.  Stiles,  a  licentiate  and 
Evangelist  of  Hopewell  Presbytery,  who  took  it  in  as 
a  part  of  his  field.  As  the  fruit  of  his  ministry  a  church 
was  organized  June  18,  1826,  of  twenty  five  members,  by 
Rev.  Benjamin  Gildersleeve,  Mr,  Stiles  at  that  time  being 
only  a  Licentiate.  The  church  continued  to  be  a  part  of 
the  Evangelistic  field  of  Mr.  Stiles,  till  1828,  when  Rev. 
James  C.  Patterson  became  the  regular  supply  for  two 
years  till  the  Fall  of  1830.  During  Mr.  Patterson's  minis- 
try the  first  building,  a  wooden  structure,  was  erected  on 
Fourth  street.  This  building  was  turned  over  to  the  Bap- 
tists, who  removed  and  enlarged  it;  and  is  now  the  Second 
Baptist  church. 

The  Rev.  Edwin  Holt  was  the  first  regular  pastor.  He 
was  received  from  the  Presbytery  of  Elizabethtown,  1831 
installed  November  20,  1831,  and  served  the  church  fro  / 
1831  to  1834,  when  the  relation  was  dissolved  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Good  Hope  and  he  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  ot 
Newburyport  July  27,  1836. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  James  Stratton,  as  supply, 
for  two  years.  He  was  received  as  a  Licentiate  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  May  13,  1835,  and  was 
ordained  Sine  Titulo,  June  of  the  same  year.  He  was 
never  settled.  His  name  was  stricken  from  the  roll  March 
29,  1843,  he  "having  joined  another  church." 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  J.  Cassels,  who  was 
installed  November  5,  1836  and  continued  till  April  13, 
1342.  It  was  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr.  Cassels,  that 
the  second  house,  a  brick  building  commenced  during  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Stratton,  was  completed.  This  house  was 
a  brick  building  on  Fourth  Street. 

November  22,  1842,  the  Macon  Church  was  detached 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Flint  River  and  added  to  that  of 


78       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Hopewell,  by  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  at 
Athens,  but  returned  to  Macon  President  in  1866  at  the 
redistribution  of  t)he  Presbyteries. 

Mr.  Cassels  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Richard  Hooker, 
who  had  been  preaching  at  Mt.  Zion  for  three  years,  and 
afterwards  at  Monticello  for  two  years.  He  was  regularly 
installed  November  17,  1843  and  continued  pastor  till  1852, 
when  he  resigned  his  charge  on  account  of  failing  health. 
The  membership  at  that  time  was  229. 

Alter  Mr.  Hooker,  Rev.  R.  L.  Breck  was  pastor.  He 
was  received  from  West  Lexington  Presbytery,  and  was 
installed  in  1854.  His  pastorate  extended  four  years  from 
1854  when  the  relation  was  dissolved,  and  he  dismissed 
to  the  Presbytery  of  New  Albany. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  David  Wills,  who  was  re- 
ceived from  South  Carolina  Presbytery  and  inst'alled  in 
1860,  and  continued  till  the  relation  was  dissolved  in  1870, 
that  he  might  accept  the  Presidency  of  Oglethorpe  Col- 
lege. 

In  1873,  Rev.  A.  W.  Clisby,  a  member  of  Macon  Pres- 
bytery, was  received  and  installed  pastor.  His  pastorate 
extended  through  fourteen  years,  till  1887.  The  church 
under  Dr.  Clisby's  ministry  was  very  much  strengthened, 
not  so  much  in  members  as  in  being  thoroughly  indoctrin- 
ated in  the  principles  of  our  church  polity  and  Calvinistic 
theology. 

Dr.  Clisby  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  B.  Jennings,  who 
was  received  from  the  Presbytery  of  Bethel  in  1888,  and 
installed  pastor  and  continued  till  1895,  when  he  resigned 
and  removed  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  become  pastor  of  a 
church  in  connection  with  the  Northern  church. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  R.  R.  White,  received  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Winchester  and  installed  in  1895,  and 
continued  pastor  till  1898,  when  the  relation  was  dissolved 
and  he  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York. 

The  present  pastor,  Rev.  R.  E.  Douglass,  was  re- 
ceived from  West  Lexington  Presbytery  and  installed  in 
1902. 

This  church  has  been  honored  by  being  the  birthplace 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       79 

of  tJhe  Synod  of  Georgia  and  in  b^ing  selected  as  the  place 
where  the  semi-centennial  exercises  of  the  Synod  were 
held  in  1895. 

EFFORTS      AT       CHURCH        EXTENSION— TATTNALL 
SQUARE  CHURCH. 

A  second  church  was  organized  in  the  city,  in  1871,  at 
first  called  "Second  Church,"  but  in  1892  the  name  was 
changed  to  Tattnall  Square.  Its  first  pastor  was  Rev. 
Robert  Adams,  who  had  been  supplying  the  Eatonton 
Church. 

He  continued  pastor  till  1887,  when  he  removed  to 
Americus. 

He  was  succeeded  ^by  Rev.  S.  L.  Morris,  D.  D.,  of 
South  Carolina,  who  was  installed  in  1890,  and  remained 
pastor  till  1901,  when  Dr.  Morris  resigned  to  accept  the 
Secretaryship  of  the  Assembly's  Home  Missions. 

The  third  pastor  was  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Frazer,  who  had 
been  pastor  of  the  Wallace  Street  Church,  in  Atlanta.  Mr, 
Frazer  continued  pastor  till  1906,  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  pastorate  of  the  Church  at  Anderson,  South 
Carolina.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  R.  G.  Newsome. 
VINEVILLE  CHURCH. 

The  Vineville  church  was  organized  in  1904.  The  first 
pastor  was  the  Rev.  James  H.  Taylor,  who  was  received 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Louisville  and  installed  in  1905, 
succeeded  by  Rev.  T.  R.  Best,  and  later  by  the  present 
pastor,  Rev.  C.  P.  Coble. 

EAST  MACON  CHURCH. 

This  church  w^as  organized  in  1906,  with  forty-eight 
members,  with  three  Elders  and  two  Deacons.  Rev.  G.  T. 
Bourne,  who  was  received  from  Cherokee  Presbytery,  was 
installed  its  pastor  in  1906.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  C. 
B.  Currie. 

A  fifth  church  has  recently  been  organized  in  South 
Macon,  called  tihe  "Jeff  Davis  Street  Church." 

PRESBYTERIANISM  IN  COLU:\IBUS. 

The  city  of  Columbus  was  laid  off  in  1827,  and  incor- 
porated by  the  Legislature  in  1828.    It  was  located  just  be- 


80       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

low  the  Coweta  Falls  on  Chattahoochee  river,  at  head  of 
steamboat  navigation,  and  two  miles  above  the  Coweta 
Town,  where  Oglethorpe  held  his  council  with  the  Indian 
tribes  in  1739.  In  1829,  the  year  after  the  incorporation  of 
the  town,  a  Presbyterian  church  was  organized,  with  only 
five  members.  The  next  year  (1830)  it  was  reported  va- 
cant with  ten  members.  The  next  year  (1831)  it  was  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  Thos.  F.  Scott,  with  a  membership  of  twenty- 
two.  The  next  year,  1832,  the  membership  had  increased 
to  34,  and  the  church  was  reported  as  "Supplied,"  but  the 
name  of  the  minister  not  given.  The  church  was  next  sup- 
plied for  eighteen  months  by  Rev.  John  Baker,  a  native  of 
Liberty  County,  who  died  during  the  summer  of  1834, 
whilst  ministering  to  them. 

The  first  regular  pastor  w^as  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas 
Goulding,  w^ho  commenced  his  ministry  January,  1835.  Dr. 
Goulding  was  also  a  native  of  Liberty  County,  and  the  first 
native  born  Presbyterian  minister  licensed  in  the  state, 
and  was  at  the  time  Professor  in  the  Seminary  at  Colum- 
bia. The  church  grew  very  much  under  his  ministry,  at 
the  time  of  his  death  numbering  189. 

He  was  a  man  of  fine  intellect  and  cultivated  taste, 
as  well  as  deep  piety,  and  particularly  excelled  in  con- 
ducting funeral  services.  According  to  the  appointment 
of  Synod,  he  preached  the  opening  sermon  at  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Synod  of  Georgia  at  Macon  in  1845  and  was 
elected  its  first  Moderator.  He  continued  pastor  thirteen 
and  a  half  years,  and  died  suddenly  of  heart  disease  on 
the  evening  of  June  26,  1848,  on  his  return  home  after  his 
weekly  lecture,  aged  62  years. 

The  church,  after  a  vacancy  of  about  one  year,  w^as 
supplied  by  Rev.  C.  B.  King,  of  Hopewell  Presbytery,  who 
supplied  them  about  three  years,  till  1853. 

In  1854,  Rev.  S.  H.  Higgins,  D.  D.,  a  member  of  the 
Suffolk  Association,  Mass,  w^as  call.ed  and  was  installed  in 
1855.  He  continued  pastor  for  eleven  years,  till  1866, 
when  the  relation  w^as  dissolved. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA   81 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  James  H.  Nail,  D.  D.,  who 
had  been  supplying  the  church  at  Americus.  He  was  in* 
stalled  in  1870  and  continued  till  1879,  when  the  relation 
was  dissolved,  and  he  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Orleans,  to  accept  a  call  from  the  Prytania  Street 
Church. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  W.  A.  Carter,  D.  D.,  Mr. 
Carter  was  received  from  East  Alabama  Presbytery  and 
installed  in  1881,  and  continued  pastor  for  twenty-four 
years,  till  1905,  when  the  relation  was  dissolved,  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health. 

The  present  pastor.  Rev.  I.  S.  McElroy,  D.  D.,  was  re- 
received  from  West  Lexington  Presbytery,  and  had  been 
the  Assembly's  Secretary  of  Ministerial  Relief,  and  was 
received  and  installed  in  1905. 

EFFORTS    AT      CHURCH      EXTENSION— ROSE      HILL 
CHURCH. 

The  only  successful  effort  at  church  extension  was 
the  organization  of  the  Rose  Hill  Church,  which  was  or- 
ganized in  1897,  with  22  members,  one  Elder  and  two 
Deacons.  The  next  year  Rev.  H.  G.  Griswold  was  ordained 
and  installed  pastor.  He  continued  but  one  year,  when  the 
relation  was  dissolved. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  D.  Jones,  a  licentiate  of 
Bethel  Presbytery,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  in 
1900.  He  also  continued  but  one  year,  and  in  1901  the 
relation  was  dissolved. 

The  third  pastor  was  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Phifer,  a  licen- 
tiate of  Concord  Presbytery,  who  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled in  1903.  He  continued  two  years,  and  in  1905  the 
relation  was  dissolved  and  he  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Mississippi.  The  membership  at  hat  time  was  42.  The 
present  Pastor  is  Rev.  G.  W.  Tollett. 

WAYNESBOROUGH  CHURCH. 

A  great  deal  of  interest  clusters  around  this  church 
not  only  on  account  of  its  antiquity,  being  one  of  the  old- 
est in  the  State,  but  also  its  varied  experience. 

As  we  have  already  seen,  as  early  as  1766,  there  was 
a  settlement  of  Presbyterians  gathered  about  Brier  Creek 


82       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

in  Burke  County,  Ga.,  which  in  the  course  of  time  became 
two  distinct  congregations,  one  on  Walnut  Creek,  and  an- 
other on  Brier  Creek,  and  known  as  the  "Old  Church." 
The  two  were  afterwards  united  and  removed  to  the  town 
in  1810,  and  known  as  the  ''Waynesborough  Congregational 
Church." 

The  church  at  first  was  Independent  or  Congrega- 
tional, and  so  continued  until  1831,  when  received  under 
the  care  of  Hopewell  Presbytery,  its  name  changed  and 
afterwards  known  as  "The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Burke 
County."  It  does  not  appear  before  this  time  upon  the 
roll  of  the  Assembly,  as  one  of  its  regular  churches.  In 
its  application  in  1790  for  its  charter,  as  well  as  in  its 
call  to  the  Rev.  E.  B.  Caldwell  in  1818,  it  gives  its  name 
as  "The  Congregational  'Society  in  the  vicinity  of  Waynes- 
borough."  So  in  1828,  the  Rev.  Lawson  Clinton  is  report- 
ed as  supplying,  "The  Congregational  Church  at  Waynes- 
borough."  It  is  true  that  in  1814  it  is  reported  on  the 
list  of  the  Assembly,  as  "vacant  and  able  to  support  a  pas- 
tor;" and  then  again,  in  1819,  as  "supplied  by  Rev.  E.  B. 
Caldwell."  But  that  does  not  mean  that  it  was  a  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  Midway  and  AVhite  Bluff  churches 
were  also  thus  reported  though  Congregational  and  Inde- 
pendent in  their  form.  That  was  an  incipient  and  forma- 
tive age  of  the  church,  which  accounted  for  the  seemingly 
loose  and  imperfect  manner  in  which  its  affairs  were  ad- 
ministered. Nor  yet  are  we  ever  to  lose  sight  of  the  fact 
that  a  union  had  been  entered  into  in  1800,  between  the 
Congreg'ational  and  Presbyterian  churches,  whereby  fra- 
ternal delegates  were  exchanged  and  in  which  their  min- 
isters could  be  interchangeably  installed — a  Presbyterian 
minister  over  a  Congregational  church,  and  vice  versa — 
and  so  that  the  churches  entering  into  such  an  arrange- 
ment would  in  a  certain  sense  be  considered  as  belonging 
to  both  denominations.  This  explains  why  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Goulding  was  installed  pastor  of  the  White  Buff 
Congregational  church  in  1816  by  Harmony  Presbytery. 
And  why,  at  the  meeting  of  Georgia  Presbytery,  at  Waynes- 
borough,  November,  1,  1824,  the  church  at  that  place  was 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       83 

not  represented  by  either  of  its  elders,  but  we  meet  with 
what  seems  to  us  a  very  singular  statement,  that  "Samuel 
Dowse,  Elder  of  Waynesborough  church,  being  present  was 
invited  to  sit  as  a  corresponding  member,"  and  why  Mr. 
Josiah  Law,  a  Deacon  of  the  Midway  Congregational 
Church,  was  not  only  invited  to  sit  in  that  Presbytery  at 
its  meeting  in  that  church  in  1821,  but  also  afterwards 
sent  as  a  delegate  from  said  church,  to  the  Presbytery  at 
its  meeting,  May  30th,  of  next  year,  at  St.  Marys;  and  also 
why  on  November  11th,  1826,  when  the  Presbytery  again 
met  at  Midway,  he  was  received  as  a  delegate  from  said 
church,  and  even  acted  as  their  Temporary  Clerk!  Accord- 
ing to  the  terms  of  the  union  the  Waynesborough  Church 
was  a  quasi  member  of  the  Presbytery;  hence  its  enroll- 
ment as  above  stated. 

Another  thing  that  makes  the  history  of  this  church 
interesting  and  worthy  of  emphasis,  was  the  ordination 
of  one  of  its  pastors,  Mr.  Floyd,  as  it  not  only  presents  its 
independency  in  a  clear  light,  but  also  because  it  fur- 
nished the  occasion  for  the  organization  of  "The  Congre- 
gational Association  of  South  Carolina." 

In  1800  Mr.  Loammi  Floyd,  Licentiate  of  the  Metho- 
dist Church,  was  stationed  in  Burke  Conuty,  (Min.  Conf. 
P,  90.)  The  Waynesborough  Church  being  pleased  with 
his  ministrations,  and  he  with  them,  made  him  a  call 
which  was  accepted.  But  not  being  yet  ordained,  the 
church,  instead  of  applying  to  the  Presbytery  of  Hope- 
well, in  the  bounds  of  which  it  was  located,  made  appli- 
cation for  his  ordination  to  certain  Congregational  minis- 
ters in  and  around  the  city  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  viz..  Rev. 
William  Hollingshead,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Isaac  S.  Keith,  D.  D., 
Rev.  Daniel  McCalla,  of  Charleston,  Rev.  James  Adams,  of 
Dorchester,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Price,  of  James  Island.  In 
their  application  they  style  themselves,  "A  Committee  of 
the  Independent  Congregational  Society  in  the  vicinity  of 
Waynesborough."  And  by  way  of  further  explanation 
stated  that,  "On  the  eleventh  day  of  August  1790,  a 
Charter  of  incorporation  was  obtained  for  their  churcn 
from    His    Excellency,    Edward    Telfair,    Governor    of    the 


84       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEOR':]HA 

State,  who  had  been  authorized  by  an  act  of  the  G^n-eral 
Assembly  passed  the  23rd  day  of  December,  1789  (Wat- 
kins,  Dig,  P.  412.)  that  on  the  20th  day  of  September  1790, 
Mr.  Plenry  G.  Caldwell  was  received  as  a  minister,  and  on 
the  third  day  of  March,  1794,  he  resigned  his  appointment 
Since  that  time  we  have  had  no  established  minister,  or 
regular  performance  of  divine  worship." 

The  petition  was  signed  by  David  Robinson,  Joshua  E 
White,  William  Douglass,  J.  Whitehead,  Alex  Carter,  and 
Goo.  Poytress. 

In  accordance  with  tliese  proceedings,  the  above  men- 
tioned ministers  met  and  organized  themselves  into  a 
body  known  as  "The  Congregational  Association  of  South 
Carolina,"  and  ordained  Mr.  Floyd,  March  26,  1801,  in  the 
Independent  or  Congregational  Church,  in  Archdale 
Street,  Charleston,  S.  C.  Dr.  Hollingshead  preaching  the 
sermon,  Mr.  Adams  offering  the  ordaining  prayer,  and  Dr. 
Keith  delivering  the  charge  to  the  pastor.  (Howe,  Vol,  II. 
47). 

This  was  the  origin  of  the  "Congregational  Associa- 
tion of  South  Carolina,"  and  the  Waynesborough  Church 
has  the  honor,  at  least  of  being  the  occasion,  of  its  forma- 
tion. The  Association  thus  formed  continued  twenty  one 
years.  By  virtue  of  his  ordination,  Mr.  Floyd  became  a 
member  of  said  Association,  and  a  Congregational  min- 
ister, and  so  continued  the  remainder  of  his  life.  After  a 
service  of  two  years  at  Waynesborough,  he  removed  to 
South  Carolina,  where  he  supplied  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Bethel  of  Pon  Pon  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
April  1822.  At  that  time  he  was  Moderator,  and  the  oldest 
minister  of  the  Association,  "And  as  an  affectionate  trib- 
ute to  his  memory,  Dr.  Palmer  was  requested  by  that  body 
to  preach  a  suitable  discourse  in  the  church  their  de- 
ceased brother  had  occupied."   (Howe.  II.  337.) 

It  is  worthy  of  further  remark,  that  he  was  the  only 
Congregational  minister  the  church  has  ever  had,  unless 
it  be  the  Rev.  Henry  G.  Caldwell,  mentioned  above,  of 
whose  ecclesiastical  relations  we  know  nothing,  but  who 
we   suppose    was    Independent,   as    we   have   been   able   no 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       85 

where  to  find  his  name  on  the  Rolls  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

Being  on  the  borders  of  two  Presbyteries,  the  eclesias- 
tical  affiliations  of  the  church  became  varied.  First  in  the 
bounds  of  South  Carolina  Presbytery  till  1796;  then  in  the 
territory  of  Hopewell  till  1809;  then  in  that  of  Georgia 
till  1831;  then  again  in  the  bounds  of  Hopewell  till  1840; 
First  Independent  till  1831,  when  received  under  the  care 
of  Hopewell  Presbytery;  then  independent  again,  when  it 
withdrew  with  its  pastor.  Rev.  T.  M.  D wight,  in  1840; 
then  again  Presbyterian  in  1853,  when  received  back  under 
the  care  of  Hopewell  (now  Augusta)  Presbytery,  upon 
whose  roll  it  still  stands. 

Below  we  give,  as  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  gather 
them,  the  names  of  those  who  have  served  the  church: 

The  first  supply  was  the  Rev.  Josiah  Lewis,  a  Licen- 
tiate of  New  Castle  Presbtyery,  who  visited  the  church  at 
different  times  from  1766-1770,  on  Missionary  tours  to 
the  South.  So  Rev.  Messrs.  C.  T.  Smith,  David  Caldwell, 
and  others  were  also  sent  out  on  missionary  tours,  Geor- 
gia being  specified  as  pan  of  the  field.  (Min.  Gen.  Ass. 
360-1,  367,  375.)  How  much  time  was  thus  given  to  the 
Brier  Creek  community  we  are  unable  to  say.  Nor  have 
we  any  means  of  finding  out,  if  it  was  supplied,  and 
by  whom,  through  the  years  preceding  and  during  the 
Revolution.  The  church,  no  doubt,  through  that  period,  like 
others  was  scattered,  if  not  entirely  broken  up  by  the 
casualties  of  war.  The  first  regular  supply  after  the  war 
of  which  we  know  anything  was  that  of  Rev.  Henry  G. 
Caldwell,  who  ministered  to  them  from  1790  to  1794,  as 
appears  from  their  petition  above  cited. 

Afier  Mr.  Caldwell  there  was  a  period  of  four  years 
destitution.  Hence  their  declaration,  that  "Since  Mr.  Cald- 
well's time,  we  have  had  no  established  minister  or  reg- 
ular performance  of  divine  worship."  This  vacancy  con- 
tinued till  1800,  when  Floyd  took  charge  and  continued  pas- 
tor for  two  years  till  1802.  Rev.  John  Boggs  supplied  them 
in  1810  and  perhaps  a  few  years  before. 

In  1818.  Rev.  E.  B.  Caldwell,  a  licentiate  of  Salem  As- 


86       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

sociation,  was  ordained  by  Harmony  Presbytery  at 
Waynesborough,  July  3rd  of  that  year,  and  settled  as  pas- 
tor, but  whose  ministery  was  very  brief,  as  he  died  the 
Fall  of  the  next  year.     Min.  Har.  Pres.  I.  323.) 

Who  then  supplied  the  church  for  the  next  six  years, 
we  cannot  say. 

In  1827  Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage,  Rector  of  the  Academy 
at  Augusta,  and  who  conjointly  with  Rev.  S.  S.  Davis, 
Agent  for  Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  was  supplying 
the  church  at  Augusta,  also  supplied  them. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Lawton  Clinton,  who  had 
been  licensed  by  Georgia  Presbytery  at  its  meeting  at  that 
place,  Nov.  13.  1824,  and  ordained  the  next  year.  Mr. 
Clinton  supplied  them  from  1828  till  1832.  Rev.  Henry 
Reid  then  supplied  them  for  one  year  (1833),  after  which 
Rev.  Theodore  M.  Dwight  took  charge  in  1835,  and  contin- 
ued pastor  for  five  years  till  1840,  when  he  withdrew  with 
the  church  from  the  Presbytery,  but  continued  pastor  for 
five  years  more  till  1845,  when  he  removed  to  Tennessee, 
joined  the  New  School  Presl^ytery  of  'Shiloh,  and  became 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Gallatin  for  four  years  till  1849  and 
where  he  died. 

Rev.  T.  M.  Dwight  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  F.  R.  -Gould- 
ing  for  nine  years  1843-1852;  then  Rev.  R.  K.  Porter  for 
fourteen  years,  1853—1867;  Rev.  Ferdinand  Jacobs,  1867 — 
1868;  then  a  vacancy,  (1869);  Rev.  J.  B.  Dunwody,  teach- 
er at  Berzelia,  and  stated  supply,  1870—1872;  Rev.  Paul  C. 
Morton,  pastor  and  teacher  1873 — 1877;  Rev.  Donald  Mc- 
Queen for  a  short  while;  vacant,  1879;  Rev.  Paul  C.  Mor- 
ton again,  1880—1881;  Rev.  N.  Keff  Smith,  Domestic  Mis- 
sionary, a  part  of  1885;  Rev.  Robert  Adams,  1886—1888; 
Rev.  J.  D.  A.  Brown,  1889—1890;  Messrs.  Boggs  and 
Doggett,  Evangelists,  part  of  1892;  Rev.  J.  W.  Quarter- 
man,  1893;  Rev.  Thos.  D.  Cartledge,  eight  years,  1894 — 
1902;  Rev.  C.  I.  Stacy,  1902—1905;  Rev.  J.  L.  Martin,  D. 
D.,  1907. 

What  a  number  and  variety  of  laborers!  How  many 
witnesses  for  or  against  that  people  at  the  last  day  of 
accounts! 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       87 

MIDWAY  CHURCH. 

No  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Georgia, 
would  be  complete  without  a  distinct  mention  of  the  old 
Midway  church,  Liberty  County.  Though  Congregational 
in  form,  it  was  as  truly  and  substantially  Presbyterian,  as 
she  was  a  regular  supporter  of  that  church,  her  ministers 
all  being  Presbyterian,  with  the  exception  of  the  first,  Rev. 
Mr.  Osgood,  who  came  from  South  Carolina,  and  Mr, 
Abiel  Holmes,  giving  also  so  many  of  her  sons  and  also 
daughters,  to  that  church,  and  in  her  very  throes  of  disso- 
lution giving  birth  to  three  white  and  three  colored 
churches  of  that  faith  and  order. 

In  the  early  part  of  1630,  a  company  of  Puritans,  gath- 
ered principally  from  Devon,  Dorset  and  Sommersetshire 
counties,  England,  embarked  for  the  new  world,  and 
bringing  with  them  as  their  ministers.  Rev.  John  Warham, 
of  Exeter,  and  Rev.  John  Maverick.  They  landed  at  Nan- 
tucket, and  after  a  few  days  reconnoisance,  they  settled 
at  Mattapan,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the  town  they 
named  Dorchester,  in  honor  of  the  old  town  from  whence 
so  many  of  them  had  come. 

After  a  residence  of  five  years,  the  colony  became  dis- 
satisfied, when  the  greater  portion  of  them  removed  in 
1635,  to  Connecticut,  to  Mattaneang,  near  Windsor,  their 
places  at  Dorchester,  however,  soon  being  filled  with  other 
emigrants. 

In  1695,  sixty  years  afterwards,  the  Puritan  element 
having  reached  the  shores  of  Carolina  and  being  destitute 
of  the  Word,  they  sent  an  invitation  to  Dorchester,  to 
send  up  to  them  one  who  would  go  and  minister  to  them  in 
holy  things.  In  response  to  the  call  they  laid  hands  on  Mr. 
Joseph  Lord,  of  Charleston,  Mass.,  a  graduate  of  Harvard, 
and  then  teaching  school  at  Dorchester,  and  studying  the- 
ology, and  ordained  him  to  the  work. 

In  December,  1895,  Mr.  Lord  and  nine  members  all 
males,  sailed  for  Charleston,  which  place  they  reached  in 
about  fourteen  days,  after  experiencing  stormy  weather. 
After  examining  different  locations,  they  settled  upon  the 
northern  banks  of  the  Ashley  river,  some  eighteen  miles 


88       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

above    Charleston,    and    at    a    place    they    likewise    named 
Dorchester. 

After  a  residence  of  fifty-six  years  the  colony  deter- 
mined to  remove  on  account  of  the  want  of  room,  as  they 
were  mostly  farmers,  and  as  Georgia  offered  every  facility 
and  inducement,  they  commenced  moving  in  December 
1752*  to  St.  John's  Parish,  now  Liberty  County,  and  in  a 
few  years  were  established  in  their  new  home,  bringing 
their  Pastor,  Rev.  John  Osgood,  with  them.  It  w^as  simply 
the  removal  of  the  church,  for  w^e  have  no  account  of  a 
new"  organization. 

REV.  JOHN  OSGOOD. 

Rev.  John  Osgood,  the  first  pastor,  was  a  native  of 
South  Carolina,  a  graduate  of  Cambridge,  and,  as  Dr. 
Ramsay  asserts,  "one  of  the  four  natives,  who  obtained  a 
degree  from  a  College  for  the  first  ninety  years  which  fol- 
lowed the  settlement  of  South  Carolina,"  and  who  together 
with  Rev.  Josiah  Smith,  the  "only  native  of  the  Province, 
as  recollected,  who  w^ere  ordained  ministers  prior  to  the 
Revolution"  (History  Sou.  Car.  II.  '524.)  He  was  pastor 
nineteen  years  in  Carolina,  and  nineteen  in  Georgia.  He 
died  August  2,  1773. 

He  was  assisted  for  two  years,     1767 — 1769,  'by  Rev. 
James  Edmonds,  of  South  Carolina,  w^ho  preached  at  Sun- 
bury  and  the  Altamaha,  about  Darien,  w^e  presume,  where 
some  of  the  Scottish  Highlanders  still  remained. 
REV.  MOSES  ALLEN. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Osgood,  the  church  was  with- 
out a  regular  pastor.  They,  however,  kept  up  services 
every  Sabbath,  either  by  sermons  read,  or  conducted  by 
visiting  ministers.  Among  these  w^e  find  the  names  of  'Dr. 
Zubly,  from  Savannah,  Messrs.  Gillis,  Wm.  Tennent, 
Piercy,  Eccles,  Joseph  Cook,  Daniel  Roberts,  and  Thos. 
Hill.  After  repeated  but  unsuccessful  efforts  to  obtain  a 
minister,  a  call  w^as  presented  to  'Rev.  Moses  Allen,  a  na- 
tive of  Northampton,  Mass.,  and  graduate  of  the  College 
of  New  Jersey,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  was  then  sup- 
plying the  Church  at  Wappetaw,  near  Charleston,  S.  C,  and 
who  accepted  the  call  and  removed  to  Midway,  and  preach- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       89 

ed  his  first  sermon  June  22,  1777.  Mr.  Allen's  pastorate 
was  very  short.  Being  a  zealous  advocate  of  independ- 
ence, when  the  county  was  overrun  by  the  British,  Jan- 
uary, 1779,  he  was  taken  a  prisoner  and  put  on  board  of  a 
prison  ship.  Tired  of  confinement  in  such  loathesome 
quarters,  on  the  evening  of  February  8,  1779,  he  sought 
to  escape  by  throwing  himself  into  the  river,  and  swim- 
ming to  the  shore;  but  was  drowned  in  the  attempt. 

It  was  during  his  pastorate,  and  a  little  while  before, 
during  the  raid  of  Col.  Provost,  the  Meeting  House,  as  well 
as  many  of  the  residences,  were  burned  and  the  commun- 
ity entirely  broken  up.  The  Dorchester  House,  S.  C,  was 
also  afterwards  burned,  both  being  used  by  the  Americans 
ior  military  purposes,  and  doubtless  the  reason  for  the 
burning. 

REV.  ABIEL  HOLMES,  D.  D. 

For  five  years  after  this  and  until  the  close  of  the  rev- 
olution, supreme  desolation  reigned.  At  the  end  of  this 
period,  and  during  the  year,  a  number  of  the  citizens  re- 
turned to  their  old  homes  and  began  to  rebuild  their  deso- 
lated houses.  The  next  year  they  erected  a  coarse  house 
of  worship,  near  the  spot  where  the  old  one  stood  that  was 
burned.  The  next  year,  a  call  was  extended  to  Mr.  Abiel 
Holmes,  a  native  of  Woodstock,  Conn.,  and  graduate  of 
Yale  College,  and  at  that  time  teaching  school  in  South 
Carolina,  who  accepted  the  call  and  was  ordained  at  Yafe 
College  September  5,  1785  and  became  pastor  and  con- 
tinued pastor  for  six  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
resigned  and  accepted  a  call  to  the  church  at  Cambridge, 
Mass.,  where  he  labored  till  his  death  June  4,  1837. 
REV.    CYRUS   GILDERSLEEVE. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Cyrus  Gildersleeve,  a  na- 
tive of  New  Brunswick,  and  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Brunswick,  and  who  continued  pastor  for  twenty 
years,  till  Feburary  27,  1811,  when  he  relinquished  the 
charge  and  removed  to  New  Jersey,  where  he  became  pas- 
tor of  the  church  at  Bloomfield,  and  died  at  Elzabethtown 
in  1838. 


90       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

REV.   MURDOCH   MURPHY. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Murdoch  Murphy,  who 
was  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  could  speak  the  Gaelic 
language,  and  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Caro- 
lina, and  who  remained  with  them  for  twelve  years,  after 
which  he  resigned  his  pastorate  and  removed  to  Spring 
Hill,  near  Mobile,  Ala.,  where  he  died  February  8,  1833. 
REV.   ROBERT   QUARTERMAN. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  Robert  Quarterman,  a  native 
of  Liberty  county,  who  was  installed  pastor  by  the  Presby- 
tery of  Georgia  May  27,  1823,  and  continued  regular  pas- 
tor for  twenty-six  years,  and  pastor  Emeritus  for  two 
years,  and  died  April  19,  1849. 

REV.  I.  S.  K.  AXSON,  D.  D. 

The  church  increasing  in  numbers,  and  on  account  of 
the  establishment  of  the  summer  retreats,  it  became  neces- 
sary that  there  should  be  an  assistant  or  co-pastor.  Accord- 
ingly, in  March,  1836,  the  Rev.  I.  S.  K.  Axson  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Charleston,  was  elected  colleague  and  so  con- 
tinued for  seventeen  years,  till  1853,  when,  on  account  of 
declining  health,  he  tendered  his  resignation  and  after 
wards  became  president  of  Greensboro  Female  College, 
and  later  pastor  of  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church, 
Savannah,  where  he  remained  pastor  for  34  years,  till  his 
death  March  31,  1891. 

REV.  THOS.  S.  WINN. 

After  the  failure  of  Mr.  Axson's  health  in  1847,  Rev. 
Thomas  S.  Winn,  regular  descendent  of  Rev.  Mr.  Osgood 
was  elected  co-pastor  with  Mr.  Axson  and  entered  upon  his 
duties  in  February,  1848,  and  continued  co-pastor  till  Feb' 
ruary,  1855,  when  he  resigned  and  removed  to  Hale  Coun- 
ty, Ala.,  where  he  became  pastor  of  a  group  of  churches 
which  he  continued  to  serve  for  forty  years,  till  he  re' 
tired  from  services  on  account  of  his  advanced  age, 
REV.  D.  L.  BUTTOLPH,  D.  D. 

In  1859  the  church  elected,  as  colleague  to  Mr.  Winn, 
Rev.  D.  L.  Buttolph,  a  native  of  Norwich,  New  York,  and 
graduate  of  Columbia  Seminary,  and  at  the  time  assisting 
Dr.  Thos.  Smyth,  pastor  of  the  Second  Church,  Charleston, 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA   91 

S.  C,  Dr.  Buttolph  continued  pastor  till  1867,  when  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  Marietta  church,  which  he  served  for 
nineteen  years,  when  his  health  -became  impaired  and  he 
resigned  charge  of  the  church. 

REV.  JOHN  F.   BAKER. 

After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Winn,  Rev.  John  F.  Bak- 
er,  a  native  of  Liberty  County  and  son  of  Mr.  John  O.  Bak- 
er, a  former  deacon  in  Midway  Church,  was  elected  pas- 
tor with  Mr.  Buttolph.  He  remained  but  six  months,  and 
removed  to  Virginia. 

REV.  F.  H.  BOWMAN. 

After  Mr.  Baker's  resignation.  Rev.  Francis  H.  Bow 
man,  D.  D.,  a  native  of  Charlottesville,  and  son  of  Rev 
Francis  Bowman,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  co-pastor  with  Dr. 
Buttolph  and  continued  for  three  years  1856 — 1859,  when 
he  tendered  his  resignation  and  removed  .to  Alabama. 

After  the  departure  of  Dr.  Buttolph  and  on  account  of 
the  establishment  of  separate  churches  at  the  retreats, 
and  the  general  desolation  and  ruin  resulting  from  the 
war,  services  ceased  to  be  held  in  the  old  building,  which 
was  turned  over  to  the  colored  people,  who  used  it  for 
twenty  years.  Thus  after  113  years  of  -active  life,  the  old 
church  ceased  to  exist. 

Although  the  old  church  ceased  to  exist  after  the  war, 
yet  her  life  is  still  perpetuated  in  the  three  Presbyterian 
churches,  Walthourville,  Flemingion,  and  Dorchester,  and 
also  several  colored  churches. 

The  Walthourville  Church  was  organized  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Georgia  July  27,  1855  with  thirty-three  members, 
and  two  Ruling  Elders  and  two  deacons. 

The  Flemington  Church  was  organized  by  the  same 
body  April  6,  1866,  with  seventy  members,  three  Ruling 
Elders  and  two  Deacons. 

The  Dorchester  Church  was  organized  by  the 
Presbytery  of  Savannah,  formerly  Georgia,  January  6, 
1871,  with  fourteen  members  with  one  Ruling  Elder. 

The  pastors  of  the  Walthourville  Church  were,  first. 
Rev.  John  Jones  who  served  it  for  the  balance  of  the  year 
after  its  organization.     After  him  w^as  Dr.  R.  Q.  Mallard, 


92       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

who  was  pastor  for  seven  years,  1856 — 1863,  until  he  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Central  church,  Atlanta.  Af- 
ter a  short  supply  by  Rev.  R.  Q.  Way,  Rev.  N.  P.  Quarter- 
man  became  pastor  and  continued  supplying  them  in  connec- 
tion with  Flemington  and  Dorchester  churches  for  four 
years  1866 — 1870,  when  he  was  called  to  the  Anderson 
Street  Church,  Savannah.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J. 
"W.  Montgomery,  who  at  the  same  time  supplied  Fleming- 
ton  and  Dorchester  from  1871—1890. 

Mr.  Montgomery  was  succeeded  by  Rev,  E.  W.  Way, 
from  1891  to  1895,  when  he  resigned  and  removed  to 
Gainesville,  Florida. 

After  Mr.  Way,  the  church  was  supplied  by  several 
ministers  for  short  periods  of  time,  and  is  now  served  by 
Rev,  Henry  Rankin. 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Montgomery,  the  Flemington 
church  was  supplied  by  Rev.  C.  C.  Carson,  a  licentiate  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Holston,  and  native  of  Tennessee,  who, 
in  1893,  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  two  as- 
sociated churches  of  Flemington  and  Blackshear,  which 
field  he  continued  to  occupy  till  his  removal  to  Valdosta 
in  1899. 

He  was  succee'ded  by  Rev.  A.  S.  Allen,  of  Tennessee, 
who  supplied  Flemington,  Dorchester  and  Walthourville 
churches  from  1900—1904. 

He  was  followed  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Edge,  of  Morganton, 
N.  C,  who  was  pastor  of  these  churches  from  1904  to 
1906,  and  then  by  Rev.  Henry  Rankin. 

COLORED  CHURCHES. 

In  addition  to  these  churches,  there  were  also  four 
colored  churches  growing  out  of  the  colored  membership, 
which  at  the  time  of  the  dissolution  amounted  to  about 
700,  viz.,  Midway,  Riceboro,  Ebenezer,  and  St.  Stephen's 
church,  and  the  Grove  Congregational  church,  which  are 
still  in  existence.  The  Midway  church,  after  occupying 
the  building  for  20  years,  erected  one  of  their  own,  near 
by,  the  old  building  being  returned  to  the  whites,  which 
has  been  repaired  and  used  for  their  annual  reunions. 

The  Midway  church,  in  many  respects,  is  one  of  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       93 

most  remarkable  we  know  anything  of,  not  only  of  the 
State  and  of  the  southern  country,  but  of  the  whole 
world,  with  a  membership,  including  Walthourville,  Flem- 
ington,  Jonesville  and  Dorchester  the  four  retreats,  of 
more  than  300  whites,  and  700  blacks,  and  yet  with  a 
record,  and  achievements  wholly  unparallelled  in  the  his- 
tory of  any  religious  community.  The  number  of  Gover- 
nors, signers  of  the  Delclaration  of  Independence,  and 
counties  named  after  her  great  men,  the  number  of  minis- 
ters, and  ministers  wives,  missionaries,  presidents  and  pro- 
fessors in  institutions  of  learning — men  and  women  of  in- 
fluence furnished  by  this  little  colony,  is  truly  marvellous. 

Among  the  Governors  we  mention  Button  Gwinnett,  a 
signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  who  though  re- 
siding upon  St.  Catherine  Island  had  all  his  associations  at 
Sunbury;  Richard  Howley,  born  near  Savannah  but  after- 
wards a  citizen  of  Liberty  county;  Nathan  Brownson,  a 
member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  1775,  and  Continen- 
tal Congress  of  1776;  Dr.  Lyman  Hall,  member  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  and  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. 

Among  the  Counties  named:  Liberty  after  her  own 
prowess  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  independence;  Screven, 
after  General  James  Screven,  who  fell  in  her  defence; 
Hall  after  Dr.  Lyman  Hall,  one  of  the  singers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence;  Gwinnett,  named  after  Gov- 
ernor Gwinnett;  Baker,  named  after  Col.  John  Baker,  one 
of  her  sons  of  Revolutionary  fame;  Stewart,  named  after 
General  Daniel  Stewart,  one  of  her  members. 

Among  her  public  men,  we  mention:  Hon.  Benjamin 
Andrew%  Senators,  Hon.  John  Elliott,  Alfred  Iverson,  A.  O. 
Bacon,  whose  father  and  mother  lie  sleeping  side  by  side 
in  the  cemetery,  J.  A.  Cuthbert  member  of  Congress,  Hons. 
W.  E.  Law,  W.  B.  Fleming,  John  E.  Ward,  minister  plen- 
ipotentiary  to  China;  among  her  scientific  men:  Profs. 
John  and  Joseph  LeConte,  world  renowned  historians  and 
writers,  C.  C.  Jones,  Jr.,  author  of  the  history  of  Georgia, 
and  Rev.  F.  R.  Goulding,  the  author  of  "Young  Maroon- 
ers;"  among  her  Theological  Professors:  Drs.  Thos.  Gould* 


94       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ing,  and  C.  C.  Jones,  Professors  at  Columbia  Seminary; 
among  her  Chancellors,  Rev.  P.  H.  Mell,  D.  D.,  Chancellor 
of  State  University,  and  baptized  in  infancy  at  her  altars, 
and  R.  B.  Fulton,  Chancellor  of  University  of  Mississippi, 
and  grandson  of  Paul  Fulton  one  of  her  members. 

In  this  connection  it  is  especially  worthy  of  mention 
that  the  high  honor  has  been  put  upon  her  to  furnish  in 
the  person  of  one  of  her  regular  descendents,  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  Hon.  Theodore  Roosevelt  being 
the  great  grandson  of  General  Daniel  and  Mrs.  Susannah 
Stewart,  who  were  both  members  on  her  roll,  and  whose 
sleeping  dust  lie  side  by  side  in  her  cemetery. 
MINISTERS  AND  MISSIONARIES. 

But  her  chief  glory  consists  in  the  number  and  charac- 
ter of  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel  that  have  gone  out  from 
her  bosom;  either  directly,  or  the  regular  descendents  of 
her  children.  These  are  eighty-six  in  all;  fifty-one  Pres- 
byterians; nineteen  Baptists;  thirteen  Methodists,  and 
three  Episcopalians.  She  has  also  sent  out  nine  Mission- 
aires  to  foreign  fields. 

Presbyterian  Ministers:  Thomas  Goulding,  Robert 
Quarterman,  Daniel  Baker,  Chas.  C.  Jones,  Samuel 
J.  Cassels,  F.  R.  Goulding,  John  W,  Baker,  John  Winn, 
John  Jones,  J.  B.  Dunwody,  R.  Q.  Way,  T.  S.  Winn,  Jno. 
Winn  Quarterman,  Daniel  Sumner  Baker,  W.  M.  Baker, 
Donald  Eraser,  Joseph  M.  (Quarterman,  John  F.  Baker,  W. 
E.  Baker,  John  Baker,  James  Stacy,  G.  W.  Ladson,  R.  Q. 
Mallard,  S.  E.  Axson,  J.  S.  Cosby,  R.  Q.  Baker,  J.  G.  Law, 
N.  P.  Quarterman,  C.  A.  Baker,  Jno.  Way  Quarterman,  B. 
L  Baker,  William  LeConte,  Thos.  Clay  Winn,  Chalmers 
Eraser,  D.  F.  Sheppard,  A.  L.  R.  Waite,  L.  T.  Way,  E.  W. 
Way,  T.  D.  Witherspoon,  W.  D.  Hedleston,  W.  M.  Frierson, 
M.  V.  Frierson,  Jno.  C.  McMullen,  Robert  Iverson,  W.  S. 
Baker,  W.  E.  Screven,  L.  Walthour  Curtis,  A.  E.  Spencer. 

Baptist  Ministers:  Samuel  Spry  Law,  Thos.  S.  Winn, 
Joseph  S.  Baker,  P.  H.  Mell,  Edward  A.  Stevens,  A.  O. 
Bacon,  A.  T.  Holmes,  Jacob  H.  Dunham,  C.  O.  Screven, 
Jesse  H.   Campbell,  Carlos  Stevens,  H.  J.  Stevens,  W.  B 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       95 

Bennett,  John  Lake,  Chas.  A.  Gaulden,  William  Butler, 
Jere  Baker. 

Methodist  Ministers:  John  Andrew,  Bishop  J.  O.  An- 
drew, W.  H.  Cassels,  Dan  M.  Stewart,  Joseph  Andrews,  E. 
G.  Andrews,  R.  Q.  Andrews,  Hansford  Andrews,  W.  M. 
Quarterman,  Moses  W.  Way,  Joseph  Law,  J.  L.  Hendry, 
John  Shepard. 

Episcopal  Ministers:  Thos.  Goulding  Pond,  Henry  K. 
Rees,  W.  R.  McConnell. 

That  so  many  ministers  should  go  out  from  one 
church  and  community,  is  simply  unprecedented.  And 
what  is  still  more  remarkable,  is  the  fact  that  twenty- 
three  of  the  above  ministers  are  the  regular  descendants 
of  one  man,  John  Quarterman,  Sr.  Their  names  are  as  fol- 
lows: John  Winn,  Peter  Winn,  Thos.  Sumner  Winn,  Thos. 
Clay  Winn,  Robert  Quarterman,  Wm.  Quarterman,  John 
Winn  Quarterman,  Joseph  M.  Quarterman,  N.  P.  Quarter- 
man,  John  Way  Quarterman,  C.  A.  Baker,  B.  L.  Baker,  R, 
Q.  Baker,  R.  Q.  Way,  L.  T.  Way,  James  Stacy,  Louis  Le- 
Conte,  Joseph  Andrews,  E.  Q.  Andrews,  R.  Q.  Andrews, 
Hansford  Andrews,  Chalmers  Fraser,  Thomas  Goulding 
Pond. 

It  is  also  worthy  of  note  that  seven  foreign  mission- 
airies,  the  descendents  of  this  man,  have  gone  out  from 
this  Church,  viz.,  J.  W.  Quarterman,  R.  Q.  Way,  Louis  Le- 
Conte,  T.  Clay  Winn,  Miss  Susan  Way,  Miss  Harriet  Louisa 
Winn  and  Miss  Leila  Way.  What  a  wonderful  man!  And 
how  wonderfully  blessed. 

Among  other  things  for  which  the  church  was  remark- 
able was  the  deep  and  abiding  interest  taken  in  the  relig- 
ious instruction  of  the  colored  people.  Dr.  C.  C.  Jones  de- 
voted his  entire  life  to  this  work,  with  the  exception  of 
the  few  years  spent  as  Professor  in  the  Columbia  semi- 
nary, and  as  the  Assembly's  Secretary  of  Home  Missions 
at  Philadelphia.  A  great  and  good  work  was  done  among 
them,  which  eternity  alone  will  reveal.  The  large  member- 
ship, among  this  class,  as  well  as  the  succeeding  churches, 
are  the  fruits  of  this  zeal  and  labor. 

We  conclude  this  sketch  of  this  wonderful  people  with 


96       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  bare  additional  remark  that  they  were  a  patriotic  peo- 
ple also,  as  appears  from  the  name  of  the  county,  Liberty, 
secured  to  themselves  by  their  devotion  to  the  cause  of 
independence,  and  the  additional  fact  that  they  were  the 
only  people  who  wrote  a  letter  of  congratulation  to  Pres- 
ident Washington,  when  on  his  visit  to  Georgia  in  1789. 

Now  should  the  question  be  raised,  what  is  the  secret 
of  all  this,  and  wherein  consists  the  sources  of  this 
church's  power?  Apart  from  the  sovereign  prerogative  of 
the  Head  of  the  Church,  who  sets  one  up  and  puts  another 
down  without  giving  a  reason  to  any  one  for  the  same,  we 
point  to  certain  facts  as  secondary  agencies,  which  the 
reader  may  judge  whether  of  sufficient  weight  or  not. 
There  are  certain  things  this  people  greatly  emphasized. 

1.  They  had  great  respect  for  the  services  of  the 
Sanctuary,  going  from' one  to  fourteen  miles  to  be  present 
at  every  service.  No  lounging  at  home  on  the  Lord's  Day; 
no  children  left  at  home  to  roam  the  fields  or  to  engage  in 
sport;  neither  at  Church  were  they  allowed  to  sit  any 
where  else  than  in  the  pew  with  their  parents. 

And  in  this  connection  it  should  be  stated  that  there 
were  always  two  services,  before  the  adjournment  of  the 
congregation.  And  furthermore  the  fact  must  be  em- 
phasized, that  it  mattered  little  whether  there  was  a  min- 
ister present  or  not;  for  in  his  absence  it  was  understood 
that  one  of  the  Deacons  would  fill  his  place.  This  custom 
is  still  kept  up  to  this  day,  by  the  Churches  that  have  come 
jout  of  her;  nor  does  there  seem  to  be  any  diminution  in 
interest  or  size  of  congregation. 

2.  Family  Worship.  It  was  almost  the  universal  cus- 
tom of  all  the  leading  families  to  hold  family  worship. 
And  in  many  instances,  in  the  absence  of  the  father,  or  in 
case  of  widowhood,  the  mother  would  gather  the  children 
around  the  family  altar  and  conduct  the  services. 

3.  Another  thing  greatly  emphasized,  was  the  com- 
mon and  almost  universal  practice  of  Infant  Baptism.  The 
records  will  show  that  the  list  of  births  and  of  baptisms, 
making  due  allowance  for  the  omissions  of  baptisms, 
through  deaths,  is  about  the  same. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       97 

4.  We  mention  one  oth-er  thing  and  that  was  this,  that 
the  church  looked  with  extreme  suspicion  upon  what  are 
known  as  "protracted,  or  revival  meetings,"  the  few  of 
these  protracting  themselves,  and  the  result  of  intense 
feeling  in  the  congregation.  They  depended  mainly  upon 
the  regular  weekly  service  and  every  day  means  of  grace. 

5.  Nor  should  it  be  omitted  that  they  paid  liberally 
to  the  support  of  the  Gospel.  Though  not  a  people  of  any 
great  wealth,  they  employed  two  ministers  to  whom  they 
paid  what  at  that  time  were  considered  large  salaries  and 
to  w^hom  in  their  early  history,  they  gave  a  Legal  Bond  in 
which  they  "bound  their  heirs  and  attorneys  and  assigns, 
etc." 

For  a  more  extensive  account  of  this  wonderful  church 
see  the  History  of  the  same  written  by  the  Author. 
SMYRNA  AND  BETHANY. 

I  know  of  no  tw^o  churches,  in  any  of  the  rural  dis- 
tricts of  the  State  more  worthy  of  special  mention  than 
those  of  Smyrna  and  Bethany,  which,  for  a  number  of 
years,  were  united  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Dr.  Quigg, 
until  the  withdrawal  of  Bethany  in  1874. 

Of  the  two,  the  older  is  Smyrna,  being  organized  with 
fifteen  members,  December  1827,  by  Dr.  John  S.  Wilson, 
then  under  care  of  the  old  Hopewell  Presbyterj^  It  is  re- 
markable for  several  things: 

1st.  For  its  long  pastorate  being  the  third  in  the 
Synod;  that  of  Rev.  G.  H.  Cartledge  at  Hebron  and  Homer, 
continuing  for  forty-seven  years;  being  the  first; 
Rev.  James  Stacy,  the  second,  being  forty-three  years  at 
Newnan;  and  Dr.  H.  Quigg  the  third,  being  pastor  at 
Smyrna  for  forty-one  years,  beginning  soon  after  his  recep- 
tion from  the  Associate  Presbyterian  Church  in  1867,  and 
continuing  till  his  death  in  1907;  the  last  three  years,  pas- 
tor Emeritus. 

2nd.  For  the  fact  already  stated,  that  it  is  the  only 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  state  keeping  up  its  annual 
campmeetings.  They  commenced  these  meetings  early  in 
their  history,  and  have  kept  them  up  till  the  present;  and 
not  simply  as  seasons  of  recreation  and  social  enjoyment, 


98       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

but  as  a  "solemn  convocation  unto  the  Lord,"  set  up  for 
worship  and  spiritual  improvement.  The  writer  well  re- 
members the  delightful  services,  pleasant  scenes,  and 
Christian  fellowship,  enjoyed  by  him  at  those  meetings  it 
was  his  privilege  to  attend.  Never  has  he  seen  better 
order  at  such  gatherings,  there  being  no  necessity  for  any 
police  arrangements.  The  high  tone  of  public  sentiment 
pervading  the  community  was  always  a  guarantee  for  good 
order  and  behavior. 

3rd.  But  the  thing  for  which  the  church  is  chiefly 
noted  is  the  fact  that  it  embraces  in  its  membership  and 
congregation  the  Hollingsworth  family,  a  family  alike  re- 
markable for  their  number,  piety  and  devotion  to  their 
Presbyterian  principles,  no  name  occurring  more  frequent- 
ly on  the  minutes  of  Presbytery  and  Synod,  the  church 
being  represented  in  the  church  courts  with  wonderful  reg- 
ularity, and  usually  by  one  of  that  name. 

About  1830  there  were  six  brothers  of  them,  who  came 
from  Laurens  county,  S.  C,  and  settled  in  Newton,  now 
Rockdale  County,  their  names  being:  William,  Moses, 
Aaron,  John,  Joseph  and  George.  Four  of  these  were,  or 
became.  Ruling  Elders,  viz.,  William,  Moses,  Aaron  and 
Joseph.  Of  their  sons  the  following  numbers  were  elders: 
Three  out  of  the  four  sons  of  William;  two  out  of  the  four 
sons  of  Moses;  three  out  of  the  four  of  Aaron;  and  two  out 
of  the  four  sons  of  Joseph.  Thus  each  of  the  four  elders 
had  four  sons,  and  of  the  sixteen  sons,  ten  became  elders. 

They  have  likewise  furnished  the  church  with  the  fol- 
lowing ministers:  (1)  Rev.  W.  T.,  son  of  George  and 
grandson  of  Aaron,  pastor  at  Lafayette,  Ala;  (2)  Rev.  W. 
F.,  son  of  Jas.  F.  and  grandson  of  William,  formerly  pas- 
tor at  Brunswick,  now  at  Morganton,  N.  C;  (3)  Rev.  D. 
W.,  son  of  Rev.  W.  T.,  and  grandson  of  Aaron,  and  pastor 
at  Hinton,  W.  Va.;  (4)  Rev.  Geo.  M.,  son  of  Jas.  H.  and 
great  grandson  of  George,  and  pastor  at  Cross  Hill,  S.  C. 

And  besides  these,  among  the  descendants,  now  num- 
bering over  five  hundred,  and  being  scattered  every  where 
as  precious  seed,  are  numbers  of  active  Christian  workers, 
and  entering  into  the  membership  of  different  churches. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA       99 

and  contributing  to  their  strength  and  influence.    Eternity 
alone  will  reveal  the  result  of  such  a  planting. 

While  thus  speaking  of  the  Smyrna  congregation,  it 
likewise  affords  us  pleasure  to  make  honorable  mention 
of  the  Bethany  people,  their  neighbors,  and  possessing 
very  much  the  same  spirit,  and  who  hav«  always  united 
with  them  in  their  campmeetings,  being  only  about 
twelve  miles  distant. 

The  Bethany  church  was  organized  in  1843  by  Messrs. 
Dickson  and  Patterson,  and  made  up  of  members  chiefly 
from  Covington  and  McDonough  churches,  and  is  one  of 
the  best  country  churches  in  the  Synod,  alike  remarkable 
for  their  intelligent  Presbyterianism  and  fidelity  to  duty 
and  obligation.  As  far  as  the  writer  knows  to  them  be- 
longs the  honor  of  giving  the  best  and  true  definition  of 
the  Sabbath  School  as  illustrated  in  their  own  history, 
viz.,  that  it  was  not  a  society  outside  the  church,  but  the 
church  itself  gathered  together  for  the  study  of  God's 
word.  Quite  a  number  of  years  ago  one  of  the  elders  made 
the  remark  in  my  hearing  that  "In  the  Bethany  church  all 
the  members  were  also  members  of  the  Sabbath  School." 
If  a  tree  is  to  be  judged  by  its  fruits,  the  character  of  the 
Bethany  people  shows  the  correctness  of  the  definition. 

I  would  add,  that  the  church  has  always  been  re- 
markable for  the  intelligent  character  of  its  eldership. 
Seldom  have  we  ever  found  two  such  men  associated  in 
the  eldership  of  any  one  church  as  Henry  P.  Richards  and 
Alfred  Livingston,  the  latter  the  father  of  the  Congress- 
man from  that  District.  Honorable,  faithful,  liberal  and 
watchful,  the  influence  of  their  lives  will  be  felt  for  many 
years  to  come.  Mr.  Livingston,  though  ninety  years  of 
age,  was  the  constant  attendant  upon  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  and  also  of  the  Sabbath  School  of  which  he  was 
the  superintendent  till  his  death.  No  one  can  tell  the  in- 
fluence of  such  lives  in  a  community.  Would  that  the 
land  was  full  of  such  men  and  such  churches. 
CHURCHES  IN  THE  COUNTRY. 

Did  time  and  space  and  the  general  scope  of  this  work 
not  forbid,  we  would  take  pleasure  in  giving  sketches  of 


100     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

other  country  churches,  the  history  of  which  would  l>e 
intensely  interesting.  But  we  must  leave  this  for  other 
hands  to  do.  Lest  our  silence,  however,  should  be  con- 
strued into  a  want  of  interest,  or  our  depreciation  of  this 
part  of  Christian  work,  we  would  offer  words  of  special 
commendation  in  their  behalf.  Instead  of  belittling,  we 
would  magnify  their  importance;  and  for  the  reason,  the 
country  is  the  supporter  of  the  town.  That  church  that 
has  no  country  to  draw  from  must  ever  labor  under  a  great 
disadvantage.  The  country  is  the  home  of  virtue  and  re- 
ligion, and  as  a  general  rule,  the  best  city  members  are 
those  imported  therefrom.  So,  statistics  carefully  pre- 
pared by  our  Executive  Committee  of  Education  show  that 
fully  one  half  of  our  ministers  are  from  the  country  and 
are  farmers'  sons.  (Leaflet  No.  4.)  This  is  one  thing  that 
has  added  greatly  to  the  success  of  our  Methodist  and 
Baptist  brethren.  We  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that 
the  Presbyterian  church  will  never  attain  to  the  full  meas- 
ure of  her  strength  or  fully  accomplish  the  purpose  of  her 
mission  until  she  attaches  more  importance  and  opens  up 
wider  fields  in  her  work  in  the  country. 
CAMPMEETINGS. 
As  early  as  1825  the  Presytery  of  Hopewell  establish- 
ed a  system  of  meetings  known  as  campmeetings,  where 
the  people  would  meet  at  some  church  or  central  place  for 
religious  services,  and  where  they  would,  for  convenience, 
camp  for  several  days.  At  first  cloth  tents  were  used  but 
later  on  rough  houses  covered  with  boards.  These  meet- 
ings were  first  started  in  Tennessee,  during  the  great  re- 
vival of  1800,  but  soon  spread  into  'Georgia.  As  the  minis- 
ters were  few,  and  the  churches  were  scattered,  two  or 
three  congregations  would  unite  together,  to  which  sev- 
eral ministers  would  be  invited.  There  were  several  of 
these  camps  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  as  at  Beth- 
any, New  Hope,  Concord,  Thyatira,  and  White  Oak,  near 
Newnan,  Philadelphia  and  Smyrna.  Great  good  was  done 
by  them,  the  hundreds  of  newly  made  converts,  together 
with  the  hundreds  of  professing  Christians,  coming  from 
far  and  near,  and  obtaining  a  fresh  baptism  of  the  Spirit 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     101 

and  returning  and  spreading  the  influence  and  power  of 
the  truth.  Dr.  Wilson,  who  frequently  attended  them, 
thus  writes  in  his  Necrology  concerning  them  (P.  40) : 

"Thousands  ofttimes  assembled  at  these  meetings  and 
spent  usually  four  or  five  days  in  prayer  and  praise,  and 
preaching  and  hearing.  The  occasions  furnished  thous- 
ands an  opportunity  of  learning  what  Presbyterianism 
was,  w^ho  otherwise  would  never  have  possessed  any  in- 
telligent idea  of  its  doctrines  or  polity.  Presbyterians, 
from  a  long  distance  in  the  surrounding  country,  came  to- 
gether and  formed  a  personal  acquaintance,  which  other- 
wise had  never  existed.  They  learned  to  love  each  other. 
They  entertained  for  each  other  afterwards  an  undying 
affection.  It  rendered  the  churches  more  homogeneous, 
and  cemented  them  in  bonds  of  Christian  friendship. 
Christians  were  not  in  that  day  as  in  ours,  cold  and  formal, 
neither  knowing  nor  caring  for  each  other's  welfare.  In 
the  spirit  of  the  Apostle's  injunction,  they  "looked  not 
every  man  on  his  own  things,  but  every  man  also  on  the 
things  of  others."  They  sympathized  with  and  prayed  for 
each  other.  That  selfish  iceberg,  coldness,  which  per- 
vades Christian  society  in  this  day,  was  then  unknown. 
Soul  mingled  with  soul  like  kindred  drops  of  water.  Well 
do  we  remember  the  closing  scenes  of  many  of  these  holy 
convocations.  When  the  parting  hour  came  what  tender 
farewells  were  uttered.  What  warm  expressions  of 
Christian  love  and  esteem  were  exchanged  between  those 
who  had  come  together  as  utter  strangers.  With  what 
spirit  and  deep  emotion  have  we  heard  the  great  congre- 
gation unite  with  one  heart  and  one  voice  in  singing  the 
parting  song: 

"Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 

Our  hearts  in  Christian  love; 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 
Is  like  to  that  above." 

Campmeetings  were  well  adapted  to  the  early  condi- 
tion of  the  country,  but  their  necessity  has  now  past. 
Though  still  kept  up  in  several  places  by  the  Methodists, 
they  have  been  discontinued  by  Presbyterians.     The  only 


102     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

one  at  present  in  the  State,  is  the  one  at  Smyrna  near 
Conyers,  which  has  been  in  successful  operation  for  the 
past  seventy-five  years,  with  the  exception  of  five  years  in- 
terruption during  the  war. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


EDUCATION. 

To  say  that  Presbyterians  have  always  believed  in  an 
educated  ministry  is  but  to  utter  the  merest  truism.  Not 
th'at  they  regarded  this  as  the  best  means  of  securing  the 
greatest  number,  but  the  only  way  of  doing  the  most  thor- 
ough and  efficient  work.  Her  first  five  ministers  in  the 
State  were  all  classical  scholars,  and  several  of  them  teach- 
ers of  high  rank,  and  had  their  school  room  in  connection 
with  the  Church  and  rendered  very  efficient  service  in  that 
way.  Newton  had  been  an  usher  or  assistant  teacher  at 
Mt.  Clio,  N.  C.  Springer  had  a  school  near  Washington, 
and  Waddel  at  Carmel.  So  also  afterwards  Dr.  Cummins 
had  a  school  at  Bethany,  near  Greensboro.  This  they  did 
for  two  reasons:  first,  like  Paul,  in  his  tent  mak- 
ing, that  they  might  not  be  burdensome  to  the  Churches  in 
their  poverty  and  weakness;  but  second,  that  it  might 
assist  them  in  their  work;  for  at  that  time  there  were  few 
men  in  the  country  capable  of  filling  a  position  of  that 
kind.  Whether  from  necessity  or  choice,  it  is  a  fact  that 
a  large  proportion  of  the  Presbyterian  ministers  in  this 
State  have  been  school  teachers.  The  number  was  much 
greater  formerly  than  now;  since  the  Churches  are  taking 
better  care  of  their  pastors  and  doubtless  when  she  comes 
fully  to  apprehend  the  full  meaning  of  the  apostle  when 
he  says,  "that  they  who  preach  the  gospel  should  live  by 
the  gospel,"  the  ministers  will  more  generally  give  them- 
selves wholly  to  the  ministry. 

That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  provide  for  the 
education  of  her  indigent  candidates  for  the  ministry  is 
generally  admitted.  But  it  has  always  been  a  question  how 
far  that  help  should  extend?  Whether  It  should  be  con- 
fined to  the  Theological  training  only,  or  likewise  extended 
to  the  literary  course?  And  not  only  for  the  training  of  her 
candidates,  but  still  further,  whether  it  be  right  for  her  to 
establish  schools  and  colleges  for  the  promiscuous  training 


104     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Oi  th€  youth  of  the  country  generally.  The  Synod  spoke  with 
no  uncertain  sound  on  this  subject  at  its  meeting  at  Colum- 
bus in  1848,  when  it  said,  "we  believe  that  it  is  the  imper- 
ative duty  of  the  Church  of  Christ  to  provide  the  means 
of  religious  education  for  the  youth  of  the  land."  And 
again,  "let  Parochial  Schools  and  Religious  Colleges  then 
be  sustained  by  our  Churches."     Minutes  page  29. 

On  the  other  hand  there  have  always  been  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  more  formerly  than  now,  some  who 
have  doubted  this  right  of  ecclesiastical  control.  This  was 
clearly  the  views  of  Dr.  Thornwell,  who  held  that  secular 
education  was  the  work  of  the  State  and  not  the  province 
of  the  Church.  (See  his  letter  to  Gov.  Manning  1853).  Dr. 
R.  J.  Breckinridge  held  to  the  same  views.  (South  Pres. 
Rev.  Vol.  II,  July  No).  So  Drs.  Stuart  Robinson  and  J.  C- 
Peck  and  other  prominent  ministers.  (See  Pres.  Critic 
1855-6). 

But  there  has  been  a  w^onderful  reaction  in  sentiment 
on  this  subject  of  late.  Denominational  education  seems 
now  to  be  the  established  policy  of  all  the  different  branch- 
es of  the  Christian  Churches.     Note. 

There  were  two  things  that  led  to  this  reaction: 

1st.  The  first  was  the  infidel  sentiments  held  and  open- 
ly expressed  by  Dr.  Thomas  Cooper,  President  of  the  College 
of  South  Carolina.  Dr.  Cooper  was  a  native  of  London  and 
educated  at  Oxford,  and  afterwards  settled  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. He  was  first  elected  as  Professor  of  Chemistry,  Geol- 
ogy and  Minerology  in  South  Carolina  College,  and  after- 
wards, in  1821,  upon  the  death  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Maxcy, 
the  first  President,  was  elected  his  successor,  and  contin- 
ued to  fill  the  office  of  President  till  1834,  when  public  sen- 
timent became  so  outraged  at  his  open  avowal  of  infidel 

Note.  We  raise  the  question,  whether  the  truth  be  not 
midway  betwetm  these  extremes:  If  the  true  Scriptur3 
view  be  that  colleges  and  schools  should  be  built  and  man- 
aged by  (Jhrjfci'an  men,  as  individuals,  and  not  by  the 
Church  in  its  organic  capacity.  We  shall  have  occasion 
to  allude  to  this  matter  further  on. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     105 

sentiments  as  to  demand  a  change.  Says  Laborde,  in  his 
history  of  the  college,  "the  close  of  the  year  1834  found  the 
College  in  a  most  deplorable  condition.  It  was  almost 
deserted.  Parents  for  the  last  several  years  had  either 
kept  their  sons  at  home,  or  sought  an  education  for  them 
in  other  and  distant  colleges.  The  whole  number  in  col- 
lege November  24  was  twenty,  only,  (page  189).  Yield- 
ing, therefore  to  the  pressure,  and  with  a  view  of  reorgan- 
izing the  entire  faculty,  the  Board  of  Trustees  requested 
the  resignation  of  all  the  Professors,  which  was  done,  and 
in  the  election  which  followed  Dr.  Cooper  was  left  out,  but 
he  continued  to  live  in  Columbia  till  his  death,  which 
occurred  May  11th,  1840. 

Thus  the  history  of  South  Carolina  showed  the  people 
of  the  country  that  there  were  no  safeguards  thrown 
around  State  Colleges,  and  that  a  similar  result  might  at 
any  time  occur  in  any  of  the  State  Institutions,  and  that 
their  only  safety  would  be  in  having  schools  of  their  own 
and  under  their  control,  for  the  education  of  their  sons. 

2d.  Another  reason,  and  one  every  way  less  worthy 
was  denominational  rivalry.  It  so  happened  that  at  first 
for  quite  a  long  period  the  University  was  under  the  con- 
trol of  Presbyterians.  The  first  President,  Josiah  Meigs, 
L.  L.  D.,  a  graduate  and  an  instructor  in  Yale  College, 
whose  term  of  office  extended  through  a  period  of  nine 
years,  had  neither  religious  preferences  nor  pretentions. 
The  Board  of  Trustees,  however,  being  largely  Presbyte- 
rian, placed  the  Institution  largely  under  Presbyterian 
infiuence  and  control.  In  1810  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Kollock, 
pastor  of  the  Independent  Presbyterian  Church  in  Savan- 
nah, was  elected  President,  but  declined.  The  Presidency 
of  Dr.  John  Brown,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  then  followed. 
He  was  succeeded  in  1827  by  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Finley,  a 
Presbyterian  minister  from  Baskingridge,  N.  J.,  whose 
term  of  office  continued  but  a  few  months,  from  April  to 
August,  he  dying  the  same  year.  The  fourth  President 
was  the  Rev,  Dr.  Moses  Waddel,  another  Presbyterian 
minister,  whose  term  of  office  extended  through  ten  years, 
from    1819    to    1829.      He    was    succeeded    by    Dr.    Alonzo 


106     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Church,  another  Presbyterian  minister,  who  had  been  a 
teacher  at  Eatonton,  who  was  first  elected  a  Professor  of 
Mathematics  and  Astronomy,  and  whose  incumbency  as 
President  continued  through  the  next  decade,  till  1859, 
when  the  Rev.  Andrew  A.  Lipscomb,  a  Methodist  minister, 
was  elevated  to  the  Chancellorship.  Thus  for  a  period  of 
59  years  the  Institution  was  under  Presbyterian  control. 

This  was  not  the  result  of  the  denomination  being  so 
much  larger  than  the  others,  or  of  any  special  scheming  on 
their  part,  but  simply  upon  the  ground  that  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  always  believed  in,  and  had,  an  educated  min- 
istry, and  because  up  to  that  time  the  most  suited  and  be^t 
educated  men  were  to  be  found  in  the  ranks  oi  the  min- 
istry. 

After  so  many  years  of  continuous  supply,  and  after 
the  other  denominations  began  to  educate  their  ministry, 
notes  of  dissatisfaction  were  heard,  complaining  of  injus- 
tice being  done  them  in  not  allowing  some  of  the  chairs,  at 
least,  to  be  filled  by  their  men,  especially  as  those  denom- 
inations so  far  outnumbered  the  Presbyterians.  This  clam- 
or so  increased  that  in  1830,  when  Rev.  J.  P.  Waddel,  a  son 
of  the  President  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  Ancient  Lan- 
guages, he  declined  to  accept  the  position  and  the  Senatus 
Academicus  found  it  necessary  to  reconsider  the  action  of 
the  Board  and  to  allay  the  dissatisfaction  by  the  selection 
of  Rev.  James  Shannon,  a  Baptist  minister  and  pastor  of 
the  Church  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  who  was  chosen  in  his  stead, 
and  which  position  he  filled  till  1835,  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  Presidency  of  the  Missouri  University,  and 
when  Professor  Waddel  was  again  elected  to  the  place, 
and  which  he  held  for  twenty  years,  till  1856.  (Academic 
Memorials  page  88). 

For  these  reasons  the  different  Churches  felt  that  they 
would  be  better  satisfied  with  Colleges  of  their  own,  and 
proceeded  to  establish  and  equip  the  same.  In  1826  Emory 
College  was  chartered  by  the  Methodists  and  commenced 
operations  the  next  year  under  the  Presidency  of  Ignatius 
A.  Few,  L.  L.  D.  So  the  Baptists  in  December  1837 
obtained  a  charter  and  laid  the  foundation  of  their  Col- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     107 

lege,  which  they  named  Mercer,  after  Rev.  Jesse  Mercer, 
their  leading  minister,  and  located  it  in  Greene  county,  at 
a  place  they  named  Penfield,  after  Josiah  Penfield,  a  Dea- 
con in  their  Church  in  Savannah  and  a  liberal  patron,  and 
where  they  already  had  a  school  in  succtjssful  operation. 

About  the  same  time,  and  even  as  early  as  December 
1835,  a  charter  was  obtained  by  the  Presbyterians  for  a 
College  to  be  located  at  Midway,  a  village  near  Milledge- 
ville,  which  they  named  Oglethorpe,  after  the  founder  and 
first  governor  of  Georgia.  They  commenced  building  March 
1837,  and  opened  the  Institution  January  of  the  next  year. 
The  three  Institutions  were  all  alike  first  projected  upon 
the  Manual  Labor  plan,  which,  however,  was  soon  aban- 
doned. 

From  the  early  advantages,  as  well  as  splendid  start, 
the  Presbyterian  Church  had  made  in  the  race  of  educa- 
tion, it  Would  seem  that  they  would  easily  outstrip  the 
other  denominations;  but  sad  to  say,  that  was  not  the  case. 
For  a  while  they  did  seem  to  run  well,  but  in  the  end,  have 
been  far  outstripped  by  them. 

Before  the  late  civil  war  there  were  under  the  care  of 
the  Synod  of  Georgia  three  female  Institutions  and  one 
prosperous  male  College,  and  which  in  some  way,  whether 
from  culpable  negligence  or  through  sheer  mismanagement 
she  has  suffered  to  slip  through  her  fingers.  The  his- 
tory is  indeed  a  sad  one,  and  the  experience  bitter,  and 
we  would  gladly  draw  a  veil  over  the  whole,  but  no  true 
history  can  Tae  given  of  the  Church  in  Georgia  without  an 
honest  recital  of  the  facts. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


OGLETHORPE  UNIVERSITY. 

Being  an  alumnus  of  the  late  Oglethorpe  University, 
and  more  recently  one  of  its  directors,  "De  Bonis  Non," 
and  knowing  something  of  its  life's  work  and  death  strug- 
gles, I  proceed  to  tell  the  wondrous  story  of  its  achieve- 
ments and  disastrous  ending.  To  those  at  all  posted,  I 
need  to  say,  that  its  career,  though  brilliant  in  many  re- 
spects, was  nevertheless  tinged  with  the  deepest  sadness. 
No  institution  perhaps  ever  passed  through  such  checkered 
and  trying  scenes.  None  ever  rose  with  greater  promise 
and  hope.  None  ever  went  down  under  greater  darkness 
and  gloom.  Ephemeral  as  the  opening  flower,  it  was,  "A 
thing  of  beauty,"  only  for  a  season,  for  like  the  burning 
meteor,  it  blazed  for  a  time  only,  and  then  went  out  in  the 
darkness  of  night. 

ITS  ORIGIN. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  State,  there  were  few  min- 
isters, especially  educated  ones.  The  Presbytery  oi  Hope- 
well feeling  the  necessity  of  doing  sometning  towards 
remedying  the  evil,  invited  in  1823,  the  ministers  and 
churches  of  Georgia  PresT^ytery,  the  only  other  at  that 
time  in  the  state,  to  unite  with  them  in  an  effort  looking 
to  a  greater  supply.  As  a  result,  a  convention  was  called, 
and  a  society  organized  at  Athens,  Aug  7,  1824,  which  was 
known  as  the  Georgia  Education  Society,  its  object  being  to 
assist  all  indigent  pious  young  men,  who  had  the  ministry  in 
view,  in  obtaining  an  education.  Though  chiefly  under  the 
direction  and  control  of  the  Presbyterians,  it  was  non- 
sectarian.  It  had  a  president,  seven  vice  presidents,  a 
corresponding  secretary,  a  recording  secretary,  a  treasu- 
rer and  fourteen  directors.  Of  these  seven  vice  presidents 
two  were  Baptists,  and  one  a  Methodist.  These  denomi- 
nations, however,  did  not  co-operate  to  any  great  extent. 
This  association  did  a  great  deal  of     good  in     assisting 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     109 

worthy  men  in  obtaining  an  education.  Under  its  auspices 
and  in  accordance  with  the  trend  of  puoiic  sentiment  at 
that  time,  was  organized  what  was  termed  a  Manual  Labor 
School. 

MANUAL   LABOR   SCHOOL. 

The  object  of  this  school,  was  not  only  to  train  the  mind 
but  also  to  develop  the  body,  and  at  the  same  time,  lessen 
the  expense  of  the  students,  by  the  products  of  the  farm 
and  work  shop.  This  school  was  located  in  the  vicinity  of 
Athens,  but  never  proved  successful,  and  for  the  reason  as 
some  thought,  of  its  too  close  proximity  to  the  city,  the 
boys  of  the  country  school  failing  to  receive  the  same  at- 
tention as  that  given  the  more  fashionable,  and  genteel 
students  of  the  town.  In  1835,  the  school  was  disbanded, 
and  two  others  of  the  same  kind  established;  one  at  Mid- 
way, near  Milledgeville,  known  as  the  "Midway  Seminary," 
and  placed  under  the  care  of  Hopewell  Presbytery;  and  the 
other,  at  Lawrenceville,  and  known  as  the  "Gwinnett  High 
School."  This  school  was  placed  under  the  care  of  Flint 
River  Presbytery,  and  lingered  until  1845,  when  it  was  dis- 
continued, and  the  enterprise  abandoned.  * 

About  the  time  of  the  removal  of  the  school  to  Mid- 
way, the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  feeling  the  need  of  bet- 
ter facilities  for  a  higher  christian  education,  resolved  to 
have  a  college,  and  decided  to  locate  it  at  Midway,  merg- 
ing it  into  the  other,  but  still  retaining  the  Manual  Labor 
feature.  A  charter  was  obtained.  A  Board  of  Trustees 
of  twenty-four  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  men 
in  the  church  was  appointed,  to  whom  the  enterprise  was 
committed.  They  held  their  first  meeting  at  Milledgeville, 
Oct.  21,  1835,  and  after  organizing  by  the  election  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Goulding  as  President,  and  R.  K.  Hines,  Secretary, 
began  at  once  to  take  steps,  looking  to  the  establishment 
of  a  College,  which  they  decided  should  be  named  OGLE- 

*  Baptists  and  Methodists  had  similar  Institution,     one  at 
Penfield  and  the  other  at  Covington 


110     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

THORPE  UNIVERSITY,  thus  attesting  alike  the  height  of 
their  aim  and  extent  of  their  enthusiasm. 
Their  first  step  was  to  resolve: 

"Whereas,  the  Midway  Seminary  lately  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Presbyterian  Society,  has  been  placed  under 
the  control  of  Hopewell  Presbytery,  and  it  being  under- 
stood by  the  Presbytery  that  this  institution  shall  be  con- 
nected with  the  college,  therefore,  resolved:  that  the 
Board  of  Trustees  do  take  the  guardianship  and  care  of 
said  Institution  as  connected  with  the  College."  (Min.  of 
Board) 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  send  a  circular  letter 
to  the  neighboring  states  to  show  the  olDJect  of  the  insti- 
tution. Messrs.  Howard  and  Talmage  were  appointed 
agents  to  solicit  subscriptions.  An  Executive  Committee, 
consisting  of  Messrs.  S.  Rockwell,  J.  A.  Cuthbert,  C.  C. 
Mills,  J.  H.  Howard  and  T.  Fort,  were  appointed,  to  whom 
were  entrusted  the  planning  of  the  buildings,  and  also  the 
entire  management  and  control  of  the  Manual  Lator 
School,  they  being  authorized  to  buy  adjoining  lands,  if 
necessary. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  when  $75,000  were  subscrib' 
ed,  the  first  instalment  should  be  demanded.  Thus  was 
laid  the  foundation  for  the  Institution  afterwards  known 
as 

OGLETHORPE   UNIVERSITY. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board,  November,  1836, 
after  discussiiig  the  question  of  change  of  location,  and 
deciding  to  retain  the  present  one,  it  was  resolved  that 
the  University  be  organized  with  a  president,  salary 
^.2,500,  and  house;  three  professors,  $2,500  each,  and  a 
house.  The  President  in  addition  to  usual  duties,  was  to 
instruct  in  Chemistry  and  Natural  Philosophy.  The  of- 
fice of  Vice  President  was  also  created,  it  being  his  duty 
to  teach  in  Belles  Lettres  and  Mental  Philosophy. 

It  was  also  determined  that  in  the  organization  of  the 
Faculty,  there  must  be  a  professorship  of  Geology,  Mine- 
ralogy, and  Botany.     The  office  of  Chaplain  was  also  es- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     111 

tablished,  whose  duty  also  was  to  lecture  on  Moral  Philos- 
ophy and  Evidences  of  Christianity. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  elect  a  Faculty,  which  re- 
sulted as  follows: 

Rev.  C.  P.  Beman — President. 

E.  A.  Nisbet — Vice  President. 

Rev.   S.  K.   Talniage — Prof.  Ancient  Languages. 

N.  Macon  Crawford — Prof.  Mathematics  and  Astronomy. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Howard — Chaplain  and  Lecturer. 

All  of  whom  afterwards  signified  their  acceptance,  ex- 
cept the  Vice  President,  of  whom  we  find  nothing  further 
said,  the  office  no  doubt  being  discontinued. 

The  Executive  Committee  was  instructed,  as  far  as 
practicable  to  "provide  for  the  system  of  Manual  Labor, 
especially  so  far  as  to  lay  out  the  grounds  for  an  exten- 
sive garden  and  workshop."  (a)  note. 

(a)  Note.  This  is  the  last  mention  of  the  Manual 
Labor  School.  The  scheme  being  found  unpopular,  was 
abandoned  February  of  next  year.  During  that  year  also, 
the  Steward's  hall  that  had  been  previously  built  at  a  cost 
01  $15,000  including  the  furniture,  was  burned. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board,  the  corner  stone 
was  laid,  and  the  rules  and  regulations  adopted  for  the 
government  of  the  college. 

LAYING  THE  CORNER  STONE. 

On  Saturday,  March  31st,  1837,  the  corner  stone  of  the 
main  building  was  laid.  The  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  be- 
ing in  Session,  and  holding  their  Spring  meeting  at  Mil- 
ledgeyille  at  that  time,  and  by  special  request  of  the  board. 
Hon.  J.  H.  Lumpkin  delivered  the  address;  a  copy  of  whi-^1; 
was  secured  for  publication.*   (note.) 

*(Note)  The  laying  of  the  Corner  Stone  was  perform- 
ed by  the  Masons,  which  was  a  matter  of  surprise  to  many, 
as  the  Presbytery  was  in  session  at  the  time,  and  they 
could  not  see  why  that  could  not  have  been  done  by  them, 
as  well;  the  only  part  taken  by  them  being  their  joining 
in  the  march  and  the  opening  prayer  being  made  by  one 
of  their  number. 


112     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Th€  procession  started  at  "Steward  Hall,"  and  halted 
at  the  appointed  place,  when,  after  the  prayer,  the  stone 
was  placed  in  position  by  the  order,  according  to  their  rites, 
among  other  things  pouring  oil  and  wine  upon  it,  and  con- 
cluding with  an  ode,  in  which  there  was  more  of  the 
praises  of  Masonry,  than  the  worth  of  learning  and  scholas- 
tic training,  as  appears  from  the  opening  stanza/ 

Hail  Masonry  divine! 

Glory  of  ages,  shine, 

Long  mayest  thou  reign. 

Where'er  thy  lodges  stand, 

Thou  art  divine! 
The  rain  prevented  the  address  of  Judge  Lumpkin  at 
that  time  it  being  announced  however,  that  said  address 
would  be  delivered  in  one  the  churches  in  Milledgeville,  at 
three  o'clock  that  afternoon,  which  was  done.  (Cor. 
Charleston  Observer,  April,  23,  1837.) 

The  Executive  and  Building  Committees  being  merged 
into  one,  and  afterwards  known  as  the  "Prudential  Com- 
mittee," were  instructed  to  secure  the  services  of  Mr.  Mc- 
Cluskey  in  drawing  a  plan  and  specification  of  the  col- 
lege buildings  and  to  proceed  at  once,  to  the  erection  of 
the  North-East  building. 

Thus  equipped  with  a  president  and  three  professors 
and  a  rector  in  charge  of  the  academy;  Mr.  R.  H.  Ramsey 
having  been  previously  elected,  and  with  the  adoption  of  a 
curriculum  of  high  grade,  the  University  began  its  work 
in  both  its  departments,  academic  and  collegiate. 
UNIVERSITY  OPENS. 
It  opened  the  first  Monday  in  January,  1838,  with 
three  classes,  and  under  most  favorable  auspices. 

The  report  of  the  prudential  committee  showed  that 
by  that  time  twelve  dormitories  had  been  erected.  These 
were  one  story  wooden  buildings,  with  two  rooms  each, 
18  by  18  feet,  placed  in  rows  on  either  side  of  the  campus, 
in  front  of  the  main  building;  also  two  boarding  houses 
on  the  college  grounds.  The  main  building  fifty  feet  front, 
eighty-nine  feet  deep,  thre  stories  high,  including  the  base- 
ment,  with  two   wings,  thirty  feet   front,   and  thirty  feet 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     113 

deep,  had  been  contracted  for,  and  to  be  completed  by 
June  1st,  1840.  The  amount  contracted  for  being  $38,800 
one  tenth  to  be  paid  at  the  completion  of  each  story,  one 
tenth  when  the  roof  was  put  on,  and  the  balance  when  the 
whole  was  completed;  the  first  instalment  having  already 
been  paid. 

The  report  also  showed  that  the  whole  amount  of  sub- 
scriptions, up  to  that  time,  was  $72,190,  whole  amount  paid 
in,  $18,516;  lands  belonging  to  the  University  500  acres, 
volumes  in  the  library  300,  number  of  students  in  attend- 
ance, 125.  Several  lots  had  been  sold  to  Messrs.  Tucker, 
Hall,  Rockwell  and  Talmage,  at  $100  each,  amounting  to 
several  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Mead  had  been  acting  as 
a^ent  and  added  several  thousands  more  to  the  subscrip- 
tions. Mr,  Howard  was  authorized  to  purchase  in  Europe, 
some  philosophical  Apparatus  for  $1,500,  this  amount  to 
be  taken  out  of  Northern  subscriptions,  which  he  might 
collect  on  his  way.  The  Espirit  de  Corps  was  excel- 
lent, the  health  of  the  students  fine,  the  discipline  firm. 
The  zeal,  fidelity  and  ability  of  the  faculty  were  highly 
complimented.  The  influence  of  the  institution  was  ele- 
vating. In  fine,  it  was  a  matter  of  general  congratulation 
that  the  outlook  was  so  bright  and  encouraging.  Indeed, 
the  committee  seemed  so  hopeful,  that  they  suggested  the 
raising  and  endowing  of  a  new  professorship  to  be  known 
as  the  "Beman  professorship,"  to  be  raised  by  the  payment 
of  $500  each,  by  fifty  gentlemen,  and  which,  some  of  whom 
had  already  expressed  their  willingness  to  do. 
INDEBTEDNESS. 

Although  the  outlook  seemed  so  bright  and  encourag- 
ing, yet  the  condition  after  all  was  not  so  good  as  might 
be  desired,  nor  even  thought  to  be.  A  little  cloud,  at  first 
the  size  of  a  man's  hand,  had  already  grown  so  large,  as 
to  begin  to  cast  its  gloomy  shadow  athwart  the  sky.  A 
growing  indebtedness,  unnoticed,  and  perhaps  disregarded 
at  first,  destined  soon  to  become  unmanageable,  had  al- 
ready as  a  cancerous  ulcer,  fixed  itself  upon  the  finances 
of  the  Institution.  All  this  might  easily  have  been  fore- 
seen.    With   only   eighteen   thousand   dollars,   as   reported 


114     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

collected  out  of  a  subscription  of  seventy-two  thousand, 
the  rest  scattered  all  over  the  country,  with  the  liberal 
salaries  promised  the  president,  and  three  professors,  with 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  appropriated  for  an  apparatus,  and 
the  same  amount  promised  the  rector  of  the  academy, 
with  the  salaries  and  expenses  of  agents,  and  with  the  con- 
stant outlay  of  money  on  a  building  under  contract  for 
nearly  forty  thousand  dollars,  how  could  it  have  been  other- 
wise. 

Hence  at  their  next  meeting  May,  1839,  beginning  now 
to  realize  their  true  condition,  the  Board  was  compelled  to 
make  the  humiliating  confession  of  great  financial  embar- 
rassment. Said  they,  "We  are  w^ell  assured  that  a  crisis 
has  arrived,  in  which  the  fate  of  the  institution  turns  on 
the  conduct  of  its  friends."  They  resolved  however,  that 
notwithstanding  the  pecuniary  difficulties  which  now  em- 
barrass the  university,  they  would  expiess  it  as  their  opin- 
ion, that  the  friends  would  not  falter.  They  also  resolved, 
that  inasmuch  as  the  University  "was  tne  creature  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  it  is  the  high  duty  of  that  church, 
in  view  of  what  sister  denominations  are  doing,  and  of  the 
deep  and  lasting  blot  which  a  failure  of  this  enterprise 
would  fix  upon  it,  to  come  forward  cordially  and  promptly, 
to  the  utmost  of  its  ability,  to  its  support." 

They  further  recommend  fthe  organization  of  a  suitable 
set  of  efficient  agents  under  the  superintendence  of  the 
Prudential  committee;  and  in  order  to  discharge  the  lia- 
bilities and  carry  on  the  Institution,  "The  whole  of  the  as- 
sets of  the  Trustees,  whether  of  money,  property,  or  claims 
o.  any  kind,  be,  and  here'by  are  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Prudential  committee  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Board  that  they  pay  1st,  the  current  expenses  of  the 
school,  including  the  salaries  of  the  officers.  2nd.  All  lia- 
bility on  which  they  have  given  security,  or  for  which  in- 
viduals  are  pledged,  or  bound.  3rd.  All  other  debts,  all  of 
which  to  be  paid  in  equal  proportion  as  funds  are  raised, 
provided,  settlements  may  be  made  at  the  discretion  of  the 
committee,  by  'a  transfer  of  property  or  other  available 
assets.  (57). 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     115 

Accordingly,  in  addition  to  Rev.  Mr.  Chamb-erlain,  Rev. 
S.  S.  Davis  was  appointed  agent  for  South  Carolina,  sev- 
eral other  ministers  also  acting  as  agents. 

It  was  at  this  particular  juncture,  that  the  Board,  at 
their  meeting  November,  1839,  in  view  of  the  crisis  upon 
them,  and  with  a  hope  of  dividing  responsibility,  and  also 
of  securing  a  larger  circle  of  supporters,  recommended  the 
Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  under  whose  care  the  College  was, 
to  transfer  the  management  of  the  same  to  the  Synod  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  which  the  Presbytery  was 
glad  to  do. 

At  this  meeting  also,  the  President,  Dr.  Beman,  and 
two  of  the  professors,  Messrs.  Crawford  and  Howard,  ten- 
dered their  resignation.  The  Board  at  first  declined  all 
three,  but  afterwards  accepted  the  resignation  of  Prof 
Howard.  What  was  the  cause  of  this?  How  much  owing 
to  the  financial  condition  of  the  college,  and  how  much  to 
the  difference  of  sentiment  on  the  New  and  Old  theology 
controversy,  growing  out  of  the  rescinding  act  of  1837, 
which  was  then  distui'bing  the  church,  we  are  unable 
to  say.  No  matter  what  the  difficulty,  it  shows  that  the 
sea  on  which  the  Institution  was  sailing  was  by  no  means 
a  smooth  one. 

In  the  reorganization  of  the  Faculty  for  the  coming 
year.  Prof.  Talmage  was  appointed  for  the  time,  to  offi- 
ciate in  the  professorship  vacated  by  Prof.  Howard,  and 
Mr.  O.  B.  Arnold,  to  instruct  in  the  Ancient  Languages. 
UNDER  THE  SYNOD  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA  AND 
GEORGIA. 

Backed  by  the  influence  of  the  Synod,  and  through 
the  exertions  of  so  many  agents,  appointed  and  voluntary, 
the  year  1840  opened  seemingly  under  more  favorable  aus- 
pices. Indeed  the  Board  even  congratulated  itself,  and  the 
friends  of  the  Institution,  on  the  great  success  of  the  gen- 
eral agent,  in  relieving  it  of  its  pecuniary  embarrassments, 
and  expressed  their  utmost  confidence  in  the  final  success 
of  the  enterprise.  The  relief,  however,  was  only  temporary. 
The  Institution  was  not  relieved  of  its  indebtedness,  but 
only  of  the  direct  pressure  of  it.     Messrs.  R.  J.  Nicols  and 


116     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Miller  Grieve,  and  other  friends  had  come  to  the  rescue, 
and  advanced  large  sums  of  money,  towards  the  erection 
of  the  Buildings,  which  were  now  complete,  and  for  which 
the  property  and  notes  of  the  College  had  been  given  for 
security.  Thus  the  evil  day  was  not  overcome,  but  only 
put  off  a  little  farther.  Instead  of  being  relieved  of  its 
financial  straits,  there  were  not  funds  enough  to  meet  cur- 
rent expenses,  and  the  Prudential  committee  were  actual- 
ly compelled  to  borrow  money  to  pay  the  salaries  of  the 
professors,  and  to  replace  the  same  from  the  first  monies 
in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer. 

During  this  year  there  were  two  changes  in  the 
Faculty;  one  was  the  election  of  Rev.  S.  S.  Davis  to  the 
chair  of  Ancient  Languages,  and  the  other,  the  resigna- 
tion of  Rev.  C.  P.  Beman,  and  the  election  of  Rev.  John 
Breckinridge,  as  president,  which  position,  however,  he  de- 
clined, and  which  left  the  Institution  without  a  president 
for  one  whole  year. 

A  rumor  having  reached  the  Board  concerning  the 
dissatisfaction  of  the  friends  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Columbia,  S.  C,  about  its  location,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  visit  them  and  invite  them  to  Midway,  offer- 
ing the  use  of  their  buildings. 

At  the  meeting  in  1841,  they  w^ere  confronted  with  an 
"injurious  report,"  circulated  in  Alabama,  "Representing 
our  condition  as  desperate,  and  our  conduct  reckless,  in 
sustaining  the  University,"  which  they  found  it  necessarv 
to  deny,  at  least  to  relieve  their  financial  agent,  who  had 
been  working  in  said  state,  of  all  suspicion  of  being  its 
author. 

Desirous  of  increasing  the  efficiency  and  usefulness  of 
the  Institution,  and  securing  aid  and  patronage  from 
abroad,  the  Board  offered  the  privelege  to  the  churches 
and  Christian  people  of  the  states  of  South  Carolina,  Ala- 
bama, Mississippi,  and  territory  of  Florida,  of  nominating 
the  incumbent,  if  they  would  endow  professorships,  and 
with  the  privilege  of  withdrawing  their  professorship,  in 
case  the  school  should  ever  cease  to  be  Presbyterian. 

Rev.  John  Breckinridge  having  declined  the  Presidency 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     117 

to  which  he  had  been  elected,  at  their  last  meeting,  a  year 
before,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  the  Synod  at 
Charleston,  to  confer  with  Dr.  Church,  with  relation  to  his 
appointment  as  president,  and  to  present  the  claims  of  the 
College.  They  also  adjourned  to  meet  at  Charleston,  at 
which  place  they  met,  and  elected  Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage, 
President.  They  also  at  the  same  time  elected  John  W. 
Fitten,  Teacher  of  Mathematics,  Mr.  John  B.  Mallard  hav- 
ing been  appointed  Tutor,  a  short  time  before. 

The  Board  met  early  the  next  year  (1840)  in  April,  at 
the  call  of  the  President,  the  main  business  being  the 
financial  condition  of  the  Institution.  In  as  much  as  Messrs 
Nichols  and  Grieve  had  advanced  large  sums  of  money, 
as  already  stated,  and  thus  to  secure  them  they  had  agreed 
that  after  withdrawing  from  the  treasurer  such  notes  and 
negotiable  assets  as  to  meet  the  claims  that  might  have 
legal  preference,  to  turn  over  to  Messrs.  Nichols  and 
Grieve  of  the  property  of  the  Institution,  real  and  personal, 
for  their  protection,  and  to  execute  a  mortgage  upon  the 
same;  which  was  accordingly  done,  but  which  yet  brought 
no  permanent  relief,  but  only  had  the  effect  to  put  off  still 
further  the  time  of  reckoning;  as  the  debts  of  the  Institu- 
tion were  only  growing  larger  and  larger. 

We  leave  the  indebtedness  for  a  while  to  consider  still 
further,  some  internal  changes.  At  a  later  meeting  in  No- 
vember, Mr.  J.  H.  Fitten  was  elected  Professor  of  Mathe- 
matics, and  Mr.  J.  B.  Mallard,  of  Natural  Philosophy.  A 
professorship  of  Law  was  also  established;  Hon.  C.  B. 
Cole  being  appointed  professor,  and  a  room  assigned  him 
in  the  building;  the  law  students,  however,  not  being  sub- 
ject to  the  laws  of  the  University. 

For  the  next  four. years,  (1843-7)  the  affairs  of  the  col- 
lege moved  on  apparently  without  much  trouble.  The 
creditors  being  secured  to  the  extent  of  a  mortgage  upon 
all  the  property  of  the  Institution,  the  main  work  of  the 
Board  being  the  completion  of  the  South  Carolina  and  Ala- 
bama Professorships,  commenced  some  time  before. 

During  those  years  there  were  several  changes  in  the 
Faculty.     In  December  (1843)   Professor  J.  B.  Mallard  re- 


118     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

signed  the  chair  of  Natural  Philosophy,  and  Mr.  W.  P. 
Finley  was  elected  Professor  of  Belles  Lettres  and  Mental 
Philosophy.  In  1844  Rev.  Thos.  S.  Witherspoon  was  elect- 
ed to,  and  accepted  the  Alabama  Professorship,  to  take  ef- 
fect upon  his  completion  of  the  endowment  he  was  get- 
ting up.  He  having  died  the  next  year  before  his  inaugura- 
tion, the  Rev.  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,  first,  and  afterwards 
Rev.  A.  A.  Porter,  were  elected  to  the  position;  which 
both  having  declined,  the  chair  continued  vacant  until 
1847,  when  it  was  filled  by  the  election  of  Rev.  R.  C.  Smith. 

In  1844  Professor  Fitten  resigned  his  position  as  As- 
sistent  teacher  of  Mathematics,  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Baker  was 
elected  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages.  In  1845  Rev.  Ferdi- 
nand Jacobs  was  elected  Professor  of  Astronomy  and  in 
1846,  Rev.  C.  W.  Lane  was  elected  Professor  of  Natural 
Philosophy  and  Chemistry. 

With  the  advent  of  the  year  1847  came  the  removal  of 
the  financial  difficulty.  Under  the  quieting  influence  of  the 
mortgage,  and  through  the  activity  of  a  number  of  agents, 
and  with  the  contributions  of  churches,  and  gifts  of  friends 
as  well  as  patience  of  creditors,  the  Institution  was  kept 
afloat.  But  they  had  now  reached  the  crisis.  Ine  evil  day 
could  be  put  off  no  longer.  The  indebtedness  of  the  Insti- 
tution had  been  slowly  but  surely  increasing.  In  addition 
to  the  claims  of  Messrs.  Nichols  and  Grieve,  there  was  the 
debt  of  Joseph  Lane  the  contractor,  the  Central  Bank,  the 
Penitentiary,  and  others,  besides  the  salaries  of  Profess- 
ors, about  $70,000  in  all,  which  must  be  met.  The  Board 
saw  at  a  glance,  that  further  dalliance  was  out  of  the 
question,  that  something  must  be  done  and  something  rad- 
ical. They  saw  too  that  their  only  hope  was  a  compro- 
mise. 

COMPROMISE. 

They  passed  a  resolution,  saying  that  it  was  their 
opinion  that,  "By  an  appeal  to  the  liberality  of  the  friends 
of  Oglethorpe  University  an  amount  of  money  can  be  rais- 
ed by  voluntary  contribution,  sufficient  to  pay  the  credi- 
tors twenty-five  per  cent  on  their  respective  claims,"  and 
they  appointed  a  committee  to  see  what  the  indebtedness 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     119 

was,  and  to  tender  the  respective  creditors  twenty-five  per 
cent  on  their  respective  demands,  and  to  be  made  payable 
in  one,  two  and  three  years.  And  if  the  creditors  will  not 
agree  to  the  twenty-five  per  cent,  to  see  the  least  they  will 
take.  And  furthermore,  if  they  agreed  to  the  compromise, 
at  once  to  put  one  or  more  efficient  agents  in  the  field  to 
raise  the  money. 

The  following  are  the  compromises  effected: 

1.  The  claims  of  heirs  of  Joseph  Lane $17,464.8i 

Compromised  for   $5,000.00 

2.  Abner    Cragins'   claims 3,714.98 

Compromised   for    928.75 

3.  R.   J.   Nichols'   Claims 20,724.49 

Compromised  for   5,181.12 

4.  M.    Grieves'    Claims 14,966.83 

Compromised  for   4,176.55 

5.  B.  T.  Bethune's  Claims 4,170.13 

Compromised   for    600.00 

6.  Central   Bank's   Claims 6,507.38 

Compromised    for    650.74 

7.  Claims  Ga.  Penetentiary,  (Settled  in  full)   713.60 

8.  Prof.    Crawford's    Claims 1,576.75 

Compromised  for  1,096.75 


$17,633.91     $69,739.01 

Thus  in  round  numbers,  SEVENTY  THOUSAND  DOL- 
LARS compromised  for  EIGHTEEN,  and  at  the  same  time, 
accompanied  with  the  understanding  that  from  one  to 
three  years  would  be  allowed  to  pay  it  in.  The  whole  show- 
ing the  very  great  straits  to  which  the  Institution  had  been 
reduced. 

UNDER    THREE    SYNODS. 

While  projecting  this  compromise,  the  two  controlling 
Synods  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  upon  the  suggestion 
of  the  Board,  invited  the  Synod  of  Alabama,  to  unite  with 
them  in  the  management  of  the  Institution  and  thus  it  con- 
tinued under  the  joint  control  of  the  three  Synods  until  the 
close  of  the  war. 


120     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

SCHOLARSHIP  PLAN. 

In  addition  to  the  compromise  measure^  there  was  an- 
other scheme  of  relief,  which  though  seemingly  promising 
good,  in  the  end  worked  disastrously,  as  it  cut  off  one  of 
the  main  sources  of  supply,  and  that  too  at  a  time  when 
most  needed.  Although  the  outstanding  indebtedness  was 
now  reduced  to  about  seventeen  thousand  dollars,  the 
Board  still  lacked  the  money  to  cancel  even  this  small 
sum,  and  pay  running  expenses,  and  even  if  it  were  paid, 
what  was  there  to  prevent  their  falling  again,  in  the  fu- 
ture, into  a  similar  indebtedness,  as  in  the  past?  It  was 
therefore  thought  that  if  they  could  only  raise  sixty  thous- 
and dollars  more,  they  would  then  be  able  to  pay  all  their 
indebtedness  and  complete  the  endowment  of  their  Pro- 
fessorships, pay  all  current  expenses,  and  place  them  in  an 
independent  position.  But  how  was  this  sum  to  be  raised? 
They  had  already  raised  seventy-two  thousand  and  more, 
by  direct  subscriptions.  It  was  almost  quite  certain,  that 
the  churches  would  not  submit  to  a  similar  taxation  for  a 
like  sum.  It  was  thought  best  to  adopt  a  more  popular 
method,  of  raising  the  money.  So  they  adopted  what  was 
known  as  the  "Scholarship  Plan,"  which  was  simply  this: 
That  every  one  upon  the  payment  of  one  hundred  dollars, 
would  be  entitled  to  educate  all  his  sons  free.  Upon  the 
payment  of  five  hundred  dollars  by  an  individual  or  an 
association,  the  donor  wou-ld  receive  "A  perpetual  Scrip," 
which  would  entitle  them,  either  individual  or  Association 
to  educate  free  any  one  they  might  designate;  this  certifi- 
cate being  a  matter  of  devise  by  will,  like  any  other  piece 
of  property.  It  was  understood  that  no  subscription  was 
binding  until  the  whole  was  secured. 

Soon  after  the  adoption  of  the  scheme,  agents  were  put 
in  the  field.  As  the  plan  was  simple  and  promised  so 
much  to  the  Presbyterians,  who  had  a  number  of  sons  to 
educate,  and  furthermore  as  it  was  understood  that  this 
was  to  be  the  last  appeal,  as  the  Institution  was  now  to  be 
placed  upon  a  sure  footing,  the  friends  of  the  college  ral- 
lied once  more  to  its  support;  so  much  that  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Board,  in  Feb.,  1851  it  was  announced  that 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     121 

the  entire  sum  of  sixty  tliousand  dollars  had  been  sub- 
scribed. The  Board  therefore  orderea  the  issuing  and 
signing  of  the  certificat'es. 

ERA  OF  PROSPERITY. 

Things  now  began  to  brighten.  The  Milledgeville  and 
Gordon  railroad  was  in  process  of  construction,  and  would 
pass  in  front  of  the  buildings,  and  through  their  grounds. 
The  Thalian  and  Phi  Delta  Societies  had  obtained  permis- 
sion to  erect  separate  and  independent  haus,  on  the  schol- 
arship plan,  they  assuming  the  labor  of  raising  the  money. 
A  plan  was  on  foot  for  the  endowment  of  a  Professorship 
in  Louisiana.  Prof.  R.  C.  Smith  had  been  added  to  the 
Faculty  a  few  years  'before.  Dr.  Joseph  Le  Conte  was  made 
Professor  of  Chemistry,  Geology,  and  Natural  History.  The 
number  of  students  reported,  was  ninety-five,  in  the  Col- 
lege proper,  a  larger  number  than  ever  before,  with  thirty 
in  the  Preparatory  department. 

In  the  report  of  the  Board  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia, 
they  speak  of  a  great  and  favorable  change  in  the  pecun- 
iary condition  of  the  Institution.     They  say: 

"Three  years  ago  a  debt  of  more  than  $70,000  rested 
upon  it  with  overwhelming  power,  not  a  single  Professor- 
ship was  adequately  endowed.  The  number  of  students  was 
small;  darkness,  doubt  and  fear  surrounded  the  institution. 
But  such  is  not  the  present  history  of  its  condition.  With 
the  means  furnished  by  the  recent  effort  to  raise  $60,000 
the  entire  indebtedness  of  the  Institution  for  buildings, 
lands,  and  including  a  considerable  portion  of  the  amount 
due  the  Faculty,  has  been  extinguished,  and  the  entire 
property  originally  costing  nearly  $70,000,  is  relieved  from 
all  encumbrance.  By  the  aid  of  this  effort,  the  endowment 
of  the  Alabama  Professorship  has  been  completed;  thai  of 
South  Carolina  founded,  and  the  means  now  remain  for 
the  endowment  of  a  third  Professoi^ship  connected  with 
this  ^Synod.  So  that  the  actual  assets  of  the  Institution 
may  be  stated,  as  its  real  estate,  buildings,  library,  appa- 
ratus and  endowment  for  three  Profe^ssorships.  This  is 
indeed  a  far  different  state  of  things  from  what  has  here- 
tofore marked  the  history  of  the  College.     And  we  have 


122     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

occasion  to  exercise  sincere  and  humble  gratitude  to  God 
"Who  hath  done  great  things  for  us  whereof  we  are  glad.' 

Thus  relieved  of  its  financial  embarrassment,  and 
with  confidence  restored,  Oglethorpe  University  started 
again  on  its  high  Mission,  and  for  the  next  decade  achieved 
a  splendid  success,  graduating  every  year  large  classes  of 
students;  many  of  these  men  of  ability,  and  attaining  un- 
to eminence.  During  that  period  the  three  Professorships 
of  South  Carolina,  Georgia  'and  Florida,  and  Alabama,  were 
fully  endowed,  and  steps  taken  for  the  endowment  of 
a  fourth,  by  assessment  on  the  churches.  Additional 
dormitories  were  erected — steps  taken  to  erect  two  sub- 
stantial brick  buildings,  one  on  either  side  of  the  main 
building,  one  of  which  was  about  completed,  enough  so  at 
least  to  be  used.  In  one  word  the  prospect  was  exceedin|»- 
ly  flattering;  and  Presbyterians  began  to  look  with  pride, 
at  the  degree  of  eminence  their  beloved  institution  had  at- 
tained, and  the  still  higher  heights  they  marked  out  for  it 

During  this  year  we  note  the  following  changes  in  the 
faculty.  The  election  and  subsequent  resignation  of  Rev. 
Jno.  L.  Kenneday  to  the  chair  of  Mathematics  and  Natural 
Philosophy,  in  1851.  The  retirement  of  Prof.  J.  W.  Baker, 
after  seven  years  service.  The  resignation  of  Prof.  Le- 
Conte  in  1852,  and  the  election  of  Prof.  James  Woodrow 
to  succeed  him.  The  resignation  of  Prof.  Woodrow  in 
1860,  and  the  election  of  Professor  N.  A.  Pratt  to  succeed 
him. 

THE   WAR   PERIOD. 

We  are  now  approaching  the  saddest  period  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  Institution.  For  she  is  destined  soon  to  en- 
counter reverses  from  which  she  can  never  recover.  Like 
the  ship  amid  breakers,  doomed  after  a  few  ineffectual 
struggles,  to  right  itself,  to  go  down,  to  rise  no  more. 

The  war  coming  on,  amid  the  general  excitement  of  the 
country,  and  the  tread  of  contending  armies,  the  exercises 
of  the  College  were  necessarily  interfered  with.  Those  ex- 
ercises were  regularly  carried  on  till  1862  when  the  last 
class  graduated,  the  young  men  being  all  called  awa>  by 
the  "Conscription   Act,"  but   receiving   their   diplomas   by 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     123 

consent  of  the  Board  as  they  were  so  near  through  their 
studies.  From  that  time  to  the  end  of  the  war,  the  col- 
lege was  only  nominally  kept  open,  being  placed  under 
the  care  of  Professors  Lane  and  Smith;  the  President,  Dr. 
Talmage,  being  excused  on  account  of  declining  health. 
REORGANIZATION. 

After  the  war  was  over,  and  the  smoke  of  battle  clear- 
ed away,  the  Board  met  Sept.  6th,  1865,  for  the  purpose  of 
reorganizing  the  University,  but  found  very  littJ^  with 
which  to  organize.  There  were  the  buildings,  by  this  time 
badly  in  need  of  repairs.  There  were  but  two  Professors, 
Messrs.  Lane  and  Smith,  President  Talmage  having  but  re- 
cently died,  and  Prof.  Pratt  having  resigned  some  time  be* 
fore.  The  larger  portion  of  the  assets  were  lost,  being 
in  Confederate  Securities.  Under  the  good  management 
of  Col.  .  J.  Gresham,  Treasurer  for  Georgia  and  Florida 
the  funds  in  his  hands  were  well  preserved,  amounting  to 
$28,000.  The  assets  of  the  other  two  Synods  of  South  Car- 
olina and  Alabama,  being  in  Confederate  notes  and  bonds 
were  nearly  all  swept  away.  Part  of  the  Chemical  Appa- 
ratus, loaned  by  the  Prudential  Committee  to  Prof.  N.  A 
Pratt,  who  was  in  the  Confederate  service,  part  of  the 
time,  Was  burned  in  the  great  fire  in  Augu'sta,  the  loss 
however  being  amply  repaid  by  the  generous  transfer  of 
his  entire  mineral  Cabinet  to  the  University.  In  addition 
to  all  this,  the  tuition  fees  would  be  materially  lessened  by 
the  scholarship  scrip,  with  which  the  country  was  flooded. 

In  the  face  of  these  discouragements,  the  Board  re- 
solved to  reopen  the  College  in  the  coming  October,  but 
the  Synod  of  Georgia  having  ordered  the  closing  of  th€ 
College  for  the  present,  they,  in  accordance  with  this  ac- 
tion suspended  the  exercises.  At  a  subsequent  meeting, 
fearing  injury  to  the  college  by  further  suspension,  they 
resolved  to  resume  the  exercises  January  16th  of  the  next 
year,  (1866).  In  the  mean  while  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed to  communicate  with  one  or  more  similar  institutionsf 
with  a  view  of  making  one  institution  of  high  order,  but 
not  finding  this  plan  to  be  feasible  they  resolved  to  pro- 
ceed at  once  with  the  reorganization  at  its  present  site. 


124     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Thinking  that  Dr.  J.  C.  Stiles,  on  account  of  his  wide 
acquaintance,  and  commanding  influence  might  be  able  to 
do  more  for  them  than  any  one  else,  they  elected  him 
Presidenr,  upon  the  condition,  that  he  act  as  Agent  till 
sufficient  sums  be  raised  to  authorize  his  withdrawal  from 
the  agency.  Prof.  Smith  in  the  meanwhile  presiding  till 
the  President  be  installed.  They  also  nominated  Rev.  YTm 
Flinn  as  a  suitable  person  for  the  chair  of  Mathematics 
and  cognate  Sciences,  but  neither  of  these  accepted. 

In  view  of  the  scarcity  of  available  funds,  they  also 
resolved  that  the  privilege  of  the  scholarship  should  bs 
suspended  for  thj  present. 

Upon  the  declination  of  Dr.  Stiles,  Dr.  Samuel  J.  Baird 
was  at  their  next  meeting  in  March,  1867,  elected  to  the 
Presidency,  and  upon  the  same  condition,  as  Dr.  Stiles,  of 
acting  as  agent. 

Samuel  G.  White,  M.  D.,  was  elected  Professor  of 
Chemistry,  to  lecture  at  such  times  as  suits  him,  the  stu- 
dents attending,  being  required  to  buy  tickets^  in  addition 
to  the  regular  tuition. 

Dr.  Baird,  having  agreed  to  accept  the  Presidency  upon 
the  condition  of  removal,  and  that  question  being  indefi- 
nitely postponed,  the  Board  proceeded  with  'the  work  of 
re'organization  of  the  Faculty.  Believing  that  the  Synod  of 
Alabama  would  sustain  their  professor,  they  proceeded  to 
elect  Sylvanus  Bates  professor  of  Languages,  Mr.  F.  A. 
Tufts,  Tutor;  upon  this  condition,  however,  that  if  the 
Synod  failed,  then  the  election  of  these  two  men  would  be 
null  and  void,  and  they  would  indefinitely  suspend  the  Col- 
lege af[er  December  next. 

Dr.  Baird  having  declined,  the  B'oard  at  their  fall  meet- 
ing, in  next  year  (1868)  elected  Judge  A.  J.  Ingles,  to  the 
presidency.  Prof.  Lane  was  reelected  P-ofessor  of  Mathe- 
matics and  Chaplain;  Prof.  Bates  continued  in  the  chair  of 
Ancient  Languages,  Rev.  W.  M.  Cunningham  appointed  as 
agent. 

We  have  already  considered  the  proposi'aon  from  the 
Board  to  unite  Oglethorpe  with  one  or  more  Southern  Col- 
leges,  and  locate  in   some  eligible  place,   and  build  up  a 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN-  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     125 

University  of  high  order.  Now  the  proposition  comes  from 
the  Synod  of  Georgia  and  upon  the  suggestion  of  two  of 
the  controlling  Presbyteries  of  Davidson  College.  At  their 
meeting  at  Rome,  Dec.  10,  1868,  the  Synod  agreed  to  the 
transfer  of  the  remaining  funds  of  the  institution  to  David- 
son, and  to  endow  with  'the  same,  a  chair  in  that  institu- 
tion, and  for  the  support  of  a  professor.  But  the  Board 
declined  to  act  upon  the  suggestion,  as  they  regarded  this 
as  unconstitutional,  as  it  was  the  act  of  but  one  of  the 
controlling  Synods;  and  as  Judge  Ingles  had  declined  the 
Presidency,  they  left  the  College  as  heretofore,  under  the 
care  of  Professors  Lane  and  Smith. 

At  their  next  meeting  in  1869,  they  reaffirmed  that  the 
Institution  must  be  sustained,  and  reorganized.  A  Commis 
sion  consisting  of  Messrs.  Cunningham,  PeLrie  and  Lane 
was  appointed  to  visit  the  Synods  of  Alabama,  Georgia  and 
South  Carolina  and  present  the  claims  of  the  institution. 
They  then  proceeded  to  complete  the  Faculty  by  the  elec- 
tion of  Dr.  W.  M.  Cunningham  to  the  presidency.  Rev.  G^o. 
L.  Petrie,  Professor  of  Mathematics,  and  Sylvanus  Bates 
Professor  of  Languages,  Rev.  Mr.  Lane  having  withdrawn, 
after  so  many  j'ears  of  faithful  service. 

REMOVAL  TO  ATLANTA. 

After  so  many  unsuccessful  efforts  to  reorganize,  and 
to  get  the  Institution  once  more  upon  its  feet,  the  feeling 
began  generally  to  obtain  that  the  Institution  could  never 
be  rebuilt  at  its  old  location,  especially  as  the  State  Capi- 
tol had  been  removed.  Indeed  the  Synod  of  Alabama  had 
even  gone  so  far  as  to  affirm  that  it  would  withhold  further 
support  unless  removed.  At  their  meeting  above  men- 
tioned the  Board  discussed  the  question  of  removal.  It 
being  soon  discovered  that  they  were  evenly  divided  on 
the  question  they  agreed  to  leave  the  decision  to  the  three 
controlling  Synods,  the  action  of  the  majority  to  be  their 
own.  The  Synods  of  South  Carolina  and  Alabama,  feeling 
that  they  had  so  little  pecuniary  interest  in  the  School,  and 
so  remote  from  the  scene,  agreed  to  leave  the  whole  ques- 
tion of  removal  entirely  with  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

Accordingly  the  Synod  of  Georgia  at  its  meeting  at 


126     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Tallahassee,  in  1869,  took  up  the  question,  and  after  dis- 
cussion decided  by  a  vote  of  26  to  22,  to  remove  and  accept 
a  proposition  from  the  city  of  Atlanta,  which  as  under- 
stood by  them  at  that  time  was,  to  furnish  ten  acres  of 
land  for  a  site  and  a  subscription  of  $40,000.  The  discus- 
sion was  'animated  and  protracted  to  a  considerable  length. 
The  writer  was  present  and  voted  in  the  negative,  as 
appears  from  the  Ayes  and  Noes.  He  so  voted  from  the 
deep  conviction  that  removal  would  only  sound  the  death 
knell  of  the  Institution,  as  to  his  mind,  it  was  a  question 
of  endowment,  and  not  of  location  simply,  which  seemed 
to  be  entirely  overlooked  by  so  many  of  the  leading  dis- 
putants on  both  sides. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  Dec.  1,  1869,  the  action  of 
the  Synod  was  confirmed.  Dr.  Cunningham,  having  signi- 
fied his  acceptance  of  the  presidency,  was  urged,  as  soon 
as  practicable  to  visit  as  many  points  as  possible,  and 
awaken  interest  in  the  Institution.  The  Trustees  resident 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  College  were  made  the  custodians 
of  the  Midway  property,  books,  and  apparatus,  and  allowed 
to  use  the  same  for  scholastic  purposes.  A  committee,  con- 
sisting of  Messrs.  E.  A.  Nesbit,  J.  J.  Gresham  and  Clifford 
Anderson,  were  appointed  to  communicate  with  the  author- 
ities of  the  city  of  Atlanta,  with  reference  to  their  com- 
pliance with  the  conditions  of  removal. 

The  Board  held  their  next  meeting  at  Macon,  March 
31,  1870.  In  addition  to  the  members  present  were  Cols. 
L.  P.  Grant  and  E.  Y.  Clark  as  a  commission  on  behalf  of 
the  citizens  of  Atlanta.  These  gentlemen  submitted  a 
paper  in  writing  with  their  signatures  affixed,  addressed 
to  Hon.  E.  A.  Nesbit,  president  of  the  Board,  setting  forth 
the  fact  that  the  requisite  $40,000  was  subscribed  and  in 
this  manner,  viz:  10  acres  known  as  the  "Fair  Ground," 
valued  at  $12,000,  were  given  by  the  City;  $12,000  were 
given  by  the  citizens  of  the  southern  section  of  the  city 
upon  condition  of  the  selection  of  the  site  of  the  10  acres 
located  on  McDonough  street  offered  by  them.  The  general 
subscriptions  of  the  citizens  amounted  to  within  a  fraction 
of  $16,000,  which  Col.  Grant  assured  the  Board  would  be 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     127 

raised.  In  a  postscript  it  was  stated  that  it  was  not  the 
intention  of  the  Committee  to  embarrass  the  Board  with 
a  donation  of  any  lands  as  part  of  the  $40,000,  but  to  con- 
vert the  lands  into  moneyed  subscriptions,  that  is,  the 
lands  donated  by  the  city  and  citizens,  to  make  the  aggre- 
gate of  $40,000. 

A  note  was  also  presented,  signed  by  eleven  leading 
citizens  of  Atlanta,  Col.  L.  P.  Grant,  Chairman,  stating  that 
their  belief  was  that  the  city  had  now  substantially  com- 
plied with  the  requirement  of  raising  $40,000  and  supply- 
ing a  site. 

Also  accompanied  with  a  certificate  of  Wm.  Ezzard, 
Mayor  of  the  City,  that  through  their  Finance  Committee 
they  had  examined  the  subscriptions,  and  feel  autnorized 
to  s.tate  officially,  that  in  their  judgment,  said  subscrip- 
tions were  good  for  $40,000. 

These  papers  were  submitted  to  a  committee,  consist- 
ing of  Messrs.  Willis,  Ramsay  and  Anderson,  who  after- 
guards reported  favorably,  recommending  the  acceptance 
of  the  offer,  as  thus  explained,  and  as  soon  as  titles  could 
be  made  and  one-third  of  the  subscription  paid,  work  to 
begin;  to  all  of  which  the  Board  agreed,  however,  with  this 
interpretation  attached,  that  the  ten  acres  of  land  was  to 
be  included  in  and  form  a  part  of  the  $40,000  and  thus  the 
site  was  never  furnished. 

That  the  Synod,  and  the  Board,  at  first,  clearly  under- 
stood the  proposition  to  be,  ten  acres  of  land  in  addition 
to  the  $40,000  was  too  obvious  to  be  questioned.  (See  Min. 
Board  p.  275,  and  Min.  of  Synod,  1874  p.  18).  Why  the 
Board  should  change  the  conditions  of  the  Synod,  ana 
accept  the  interpretation  of  the  Atlanta  Committee,  witn- 
out  referring  it  back  to  the  Synod  for  its  approval  will 
always  be  a  mystery,  as  well  as  a  matter  of  inquiry.  This 
new  propositon  was  never  submitted  to  the  Synod  foi-  its 
consideration.  As  it  was  the  measure  of  removal  was  car- 
ried by  a  majority  of  only  four;  had  it  been  known  that 
the  interpretation  was  to  be  attached,  we  feel  assured  that 
resolution  would  never  have  passed  that  body. 

The  Board  having  accepted  the  proposition  of  the  coin- 


128     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

mittee,  with  the  •explanation  given,  proceeded  to  take  steps 
for  the  removal  of  the  College  to  Atlanta.  The  first  step 
was  to  reorganize  the  Faculty.  The  death  of  Dr.  Cunning- 
ham being  announced,  Rev.  David  Wills  was  elected  pres- 
ident; Gustavus  J.  Orr  was  elected  Professor  of  Mathe- 
matics and  Astronomy  in  the  place  of  the  Rev.  Geo.  L. 
Petrie,  who  had  declined;  Benj.  T.  Hunter,  Professor  of 
Physical  Science  and  W.  Le  Conte  Stevens,  of  Chemistry 
and  Modern  Languages. 

A  new  chair  of  Belles  Lettres  was  formed  and  Prof. 
R.  C.  Smith  elected  to  fill  it,  but  'the  studies  afterwards  so 
changed  that  the  president  was  made  professor  of  Belles 
Lettres  and  Sacred  Literature,  and  Prof.  Smith  transferred 
to  the  chair  of  Moral  Science  and  Political  Economy. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Gaillard  was  elected  Financial  Agent,  Sylva- 
nus  Bates  was  deputed  to  go  to  Midway  and  collect  the 
Library,  Apparatus  and  other  property  of  the  College,  and 
send  the  same  to  Atlanta. 

Messrs.  Wilson,  Whitner,  Leyden,  Wallace  and  Clarke 
were  appointed  a  local  committee  to  whom  all  questions 
touching  a  permanent  site  were  to  be  submitted  with 
authority  to  choose,  purchase  or  to  accept  in  case  of  a 
donation,  and  to  arrange  and  engage  to  open  in  the  pres- 
ent or  any  other  building,  first  Tuesday  in  October  next. 

Tuition  was  fixed  at  $75.00. 

The  permanent  Fund  was  pledged  for  the  payment  of 
all  salaries.  Tuition  of  candidates  for  the  ministry  of  all 
denominations  to  be  free. 

A  University  High  School  was  also  established,  in  con- 
nection with  the  College,  with  the  following  corps  of  teach- 
ers, viz: 

W.  M.  Janes,  Professor  of  English  and  Greek;  E.  J. 
Moore,  Professor  of  Latin;  J.  A.  Richardson,  Professor  of 
Mathematics. 

Arrangements  were  made  with  the  following  gentle- 
men, with  no  expense  to  the  College,  to  give  instruction  in 
the  following  departments: 

LAW  DEPARTMENT. 

Richard  H.  Clark,  Professor  International  and  Consti- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     129 

tutional  Law;  L.  J.  Gartrell,  Professor  Criminal  Law;  A.  C, 
Garlington,  Professor  Equity,  Jurisprudence,  Pleadings  and 
Practice;  L.  E.  Bleckley,  S.  B.  Hoyt  and  N.  J.  Hammond, 
Common  Law,  General  Principles,  Pleadings,  Practice  and 
all  Special  subjects  not  taught  by  the  other  professors. 
COMMERCIAL  SCHOOL. 

B.  T.  Moore,  Principal;  J.  P.  Woodward  and  T.  H. 
Corkill  Assistants. 

(Note)  The  establishment  of  the  High  School,  and 
the  choice  of  Teachers  for  the  Law  and  Commercial 
Schools  were  not  made  until  after  the  opening  of  the  term. 

Having  selected  the  Faculty,  the  next  thing  w^as  to 
arrange  about  the  building.  A  committee  of  seven  had 
been  appointed  to  which  the  whole  question  of  location 
had  been  submitted.  It  was  soon  seen  that  the  site  offered 
on  McDo-nough  street  was  wholly  unsuitable,  if  for  no 
other  reason,  its  distance,  being  one  and  three-quarter  miles 
from  the  center  of  the  city,  and  thereby  shut  off  from  all 
local  patronage.  The  committee  then  bargained  for  the 
residence  of  Mr.  John  Neal  for  $12,000  and  for  w^hich  sum 
the  Board  gave  their  note. 

Thus  equipped  the  University  opened  October  4,  1870. 
We  are  not  told  where,  as  the  records  are  silent  on  the 
subject.  Not  in  the  Neal  House,  for  the  Secretary  at  the 
meeting  Nov.  7,  was  directed  to  inform  the  tenants  that 
the  University  would  need  the  building  Jan.  1,  if  not 
sooner.  But  no  matter  where,  it  seemed  to  have  opened 
under  most  flattering  auspices.  The  Synod,  in  its  action 
upon  the  report  of  the  Trustees  congratulated  itself  that 
every  thing  was  so  prosperous  and  encouraging,  that  the 
Trustees  by  a  special  act  of  the  Legislature,  had  reverted 
the  University  charter  to  its  original  feature,  and  in  order 
to  carry  out  the  design  of  the  enactment,  Legal,  Medical, 
and  Commercial  departments  had  been  organized,  by  the 
election  of  men  of  distincHon,  to  fill  these  various 
chairs;  and  that  a  University  High  School  had  been  estab- 
lished in  immediate  connection  with  the  College,  and  is  now 
in  successful  operation,  and  that  now  the  number  of  stu- 
dents is  about  120,  and  it  is  believed  by  the  first  of  the 


130     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

opening  year,  would  be  150;  and  then  would  be  upon  a  self- 
sustaining  basis.  They  were  bound,  however,  to  express  re- 
gret that  no  financial  statement  accompanied  the  report, 
which  omission,  however,  they  seemed  willing,  in  the  ex- 
uberance of  their  joy,  not  only  to  overlook,  but  even  con- 
done. 

But  alas  the  sky  that  seemed  so  bright  was  destined 
soon  to  be  obscured  with  clouds.  The  Managers,  for  they 
seem  to  be  many,  soon  found  out  that  the  Neal  Building, 
originally  a  private  residence,  on  a  small  lot  in  the  heart 
of  the  city,  was  entirely  too  small,  and  wholly  unsuited  to 
the  purpose.  They  also  soon  began  to  see  that  it  required 
more  money  to  run  a  University  than  could  be  expected 
from  the  limited  resources  within  their  reach.  With  a 
President  with  a  salary  of  $3,000  and  a  house;  with  four 
professors,  averaging  $1,500  and  a  house  each;  with  three 
teachers  in  the  preparatory  school  with  $2,000  each;  with 
a  note  drawing  $1,000  interest  per  year,  with  liberal  appro- 
priations for  Apparatus,  for  contingent  expenses;  and  to 
the  architect;  amounting  in  all  to  about  $17,000,  and  to 
meet  this,  with  only  one  endowment  of  $28,000,  yielding 
an  income  of  $1,500.  With  a  large  part  of  the  $40,000  sub- 
scribed, forfeited  and  uncollected,  on  account  of  change 
of  location,  and  what  was  collected,  was  done  by  different 
parties,  paid  in  small  amounts,  and  at  different  times,  and 
yielding  no  interest  having  never  been  invested;  and  the 
tuition  of  about  120  pupils,  yielding  say  $5,000,  thus 
amounting  in  all  to  a'bout  $6,000  income,  with  which  to 
meet  an  annual  outlay  of  $17,000.  The  bed  obviously  was 
far  too  short,  "for  a  man  to  stretch  himself  on  it,  and  the 
covering  entirely  too  narrow  for  a  man  to  wrap  himself 
in  it,"  and  yet  the  Board  seemed  not  to  see  it,  or  if  they  did, 
were  not  deterred  by  the  sight  thereof,  from  their  purpose 
to  go  forward.  No  matter  what  our  opinion  of  the  judg- 
ment thus  displayed,  we  certainly  cannot  withhold  our  ad- 
miration for  the  marvellous  courage  exhibited  in  the  ven- 
ture. Another  instance,  and  even  worse,  of  a  king  with  ten 
thousand,  going  to  battle  against  another  king  that  Com- 
eth to  meet  him  with  twenty  thousand.    $6,000  to  meet  and 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     131 

cover  $17,000.  Surely  it  did  not  require  the  prophet,  or 
even  the  son  of  a  prophet  to  forecast  what  the  result  would 
be.  The  only  plan,  under  the  circumstances  would  he  first 
to  appropriate  the  subscriptions,  as  fast  as  collected.  And 
this  was  done.  So  we  find  that  the  treasurer  was  ordered 
to  "v>ay  drafts  upon  him,  with  any  monies  in  his  hands." 
With  the  great  demands  upon  the  treasurer,  the  available 
portions  of  the  subscriptions  were  soon  absorbed,  and  then, 
as  the  devouring  locusts  march  from  exhausted  to  fresher 
fields,  the  next  step  was  to  fall  upon  the  permanent  fund. 
Hence  we  find  the  resolution  that  the  "treasurer  be  author- 
ized to  sell  enough  of  the  bonds  of  the  S.  W.  Railroad,  to 
meet  present  deficit  for  salaries."  And  at  another  time, 
$3,000  worth  to  repay  borrowed  subscription  money  paid  on 
the  Neal  house,  although  the  Synod  at  three  different 
tim€s  distinctly  forbade  the  use  of  said  funds,  "for  any 
purpose  whatever."  But  what  else  could  be  done?  Debts 
had  been  contracted,  and  this  was  the  last  resort.  Begin- 
ning  to  realize  the  scantiness  of  their  resources,  the  Board 
appointed  a  committee,  "to  memorialize  the  city  of  Atlanta 
for  a  larger  donation."  But  it  was  soon  apparent  that  no 
help  would  be  obtainable  from  that  source;  for  though  in 
sympathy  with  the  movement,  the  outlook  had  become  so 
uncertain,  as  to  forbid  any  further  alliance  or  entangle- 
ment. The  outside  world  too,  and  the  church,  taking  in 
the  situation  at  a  glance,  had  lost  all  heart,  and  likewise 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  every  appeal.  Mr.  Gillard,  their 
agent,  returned  with  the  statement  that  he  was  able  to 
collect  only  $280.00,  which  the  Board  generously 
begged  him  to  retain  for  his  services,  at  the  same  time 
abolishing  the  agency,  on  account  of  "the  stringency  of  the 
times,"  as  they  expressed  it,  and  which  they  had  now  com- 
menced so  keenly  to  feel. 

In  the  mean  while  some  changes  were  made  in  the 
Faculty.  Prof.  Hunter  resigned  the  chair  of  Sciences,  and 
Prof.  Stevens,  elected  in  his  place.  Prof.  Richardson 
was  made  Principal  of  the  High  School  and  also  Profes- 
sor at  a  salary  of  $2,000.  A  change  was  made  in  the 
Professorships,  so  as  to  make  Mental  and  Moral  Science  a 


132     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

separate  chair,  and  Rev.  T.  A.  Hoyt  elected  professor,  and 
at  same  time  made  Financial  Agent.  Mr.  Hoyt  accepted 
neither  position. 

With  the  available  portion  of  the  $40,000  subscription 
used  up,  and  with  the  Neal  house  yet  unpaid  for,  and  with 
the  daily  inroads  upon  the  remainder  of  the  invested  funds, 
the  Trustees  seemed  still  to  indulge  the  fond,  though  now 
forlorn  hope  of  yet  resuscitating  the  institution.  Bent  on 
this  purpose,  and  bouyed  with  this  firm  resolve  they  ap- 
pointed Rev.  De  Witt  Burkhead,  as  their  "General  Finan- 
cial Agent,"  to  raise  funds  to  endow  the  University."  But 
like  a  "wise  man,  who  foreseeth  the  evil  and  hideth  him- 
self," Mr.  Burkhead  courteously  declined  the  position  ten- 
dered him. 

The  end  was  now  drawing  near.  The  ship  was  already 
in  the  midst  of  the  breakers.  The  Trustees  resolved  to  call 
a  halt  "before  the  last  pea  was  consumed  from  the  dish,"' 
as  Col.  Gresham  so  forcibly  put  it  in  his  speech  before  the 
Synod.  They  therefore  appointed  a  committee  of  three, 
to  hold  a  consultation  with  the  officers  of  the  College,  "to 
see  what  reduction,  if  any,  could  be  made  in  salaries,"  so 
as  to  reduce  the  expenses  within  the  means  of  the  Board." 
But  this  also  proved  but  the  straw  at  which  the  drowning 
man  was  catching. 

Hitherto  baffled  in  all  their  efforts  at  obtaining  relief, 
at  their  last  meeting  Feb.  2,  1872,  and  as  their  last  meas- 
ure they  resolved: 

1st.  "That  the  Board  of  Trustees  will  continue  to  pay 
the  salaries  of  the  President  and  Professors  up  to  the  end 
Oi  this  current  Collegiate  year.  Atfer  that  time  the  Board 
of  Trustees  will  not  be  responsible  for  the  salaries  of  the 
President,  Professors  or  teachers,  and  there  shall  be  no 
charge  upon  the  funds,  or  property  of  the  Board,  except 
the  income  of  permanent  fund;  and  it  is  understood  that 
any  fund  raised  by  any  agent  shall  first  go  to  the  payment 
of  salaries." 

2d.  "Resolved  that  the  Professors  shall  have  the  use 
of  the  buildings,  apparatus,  and  all  tuition  paid." 

With  the  resignation  of  Prof.  Orr,  the  increase  of  Prof. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     133 

Stevens'  salary  to  $1,800,  under  the  above  provision,  the 
election  of  Rev.  R.  C.  Ketchum  as  principal  of  the  Prepar- 
atory School,  his  salary  likewise  to  be  paid  from  tuition; 
with  an  order  to  the  treasurer  for  the  past  installment  on 
the  Neal  note,  and  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  se- 
lect a  suitable  man  for  a  financial  agent,  the  minutes  of  the 
Board  abruptly  close. 

The  seeming  abruptness,  however,  is  somewhat  ra 
lieved  by  the  concluding  words,  "Adjourned  subject  to  the 
call  of  the  Moderator."  But  it  seemed  the  Moderator  never 
issued  his  call,  for  seeing  the  obstruction  in  the  way,  and 
realizing  the  impending  doom  awaiting  the  Institution  he 
wisely  ignored  his  official  investiture  with  any  such  au- 
thority. 

The  last  recorded  meeting,  as  above  stated,  was  Feb. 
2,  1872.  Who  then  managed  the  affairs  of  the  institution 
from  that  time  till  the  closing  in  November;  who  kept  the 
funds,  and  how  much  on  hand;  what  collected  and  what 
paid  out;  who  ordered  the  payment  of  the  drafts,  and  es- 
pecially the  selling  of  the  bonds  of  the  permanent  invest- 
ment? Nobody  perhaps  will  ever  know.  Like  a  crazy  en- 
gine on  the  track,  or  a  shii  at  sea,  without  master  or 
helmsman,  the  University  seemed  now  wildly  to  be  run- 
ning itself.  Or  like  the  Israelities  in  the  time  of  the  Judges, 
every  man  did  that  which  "was  right  in  his  own  eyes," 
there  being  no  one  to  whom  any  special  responsibility  was 
due. 

The  records  of  the  Board  are  exceedingly  scanty.  In 
their  extreme  meagerness,  they  say  nothing  definite  con- 
cerning the  purchase  of  the  Neal  house,  nothing  about  the 
price  paid  for  it.  Nothing  definite  about  the  site  offered 
by  (the  city,  how  large,  how  small,  how  valuable;  no  re- 
ports of  any  itemized  statements  of  monies  received,  only 
"Verbal  Statements,"  seemed  to  have  been  made.  "By 
special  request,"  thirty  days  were  allowed  the  chairman 
of  the  collecting  committee  to  prepare  such  an  itemized 
statement.  No  evidence  appears  this  was  ever  done.  In- 
deed, neither  the  records  of  the  Board,  or  the  Synod,  show 
that  any  itemized  statement  of  funds  was  ever  presented  to 


134     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  Synod  after  the  removal  to  Atlanta.  All  this  may- 
be according  to  business  rules,  but  the  common  mind  will 
ever  fail  to  see  it!  If  Presbyterians  are  to  allow  their 
business  to  be  conducted  in  this  loose  slipshod  manner, 
they  may  expect  similar  disasters  to  overtake  their  enter- 
prises in  the  future,  as  in  the  past.    ' 

The  Synod  of  Georgia  met  in  November  following.  In 
their  report  on  the  situation  we  meet  with  the  following: 
"Your  committee  finds  that  the  entire  permanent  fund  of 
the  university  has  been  spent  in  the  payment  of  Professors 
salaries  and  incidental  expenses,  except  the  sum  of  $2,- 
608.88  and  this  amount  may  be  further  reduced  by  payment 
of  salaries  for  the  present  year." 

With  the  Neal  House,  and  nothing  left  but  the  little 
pittance  above  named,  without  a  site,  without  subscription, 
and  without  endowment,  the  Synod  had  no  other  alterna- 
tive left,  but  to  order  the  closing  of  the  Institution. 

And  then  and  there  Oglethorpe  University,  one  of  the 
most  promising  institutions  of  our  Southland,  upon  which 
so  much  wealth  had  been  lavished,  and  upon  which  sc 
many  fond  hopes  had  been  centered,  and  for  which  so 
many  earnest  prayers  had  been  offered,  went  down,  and 
tne  cause  of  Christian  education  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Georgia  was  set  back  one  whole  generation. 
THE  REMNANiS. 

Sad  enough  would  it  be  for  us  to  stop  just  here;  but 
there  are  still  other  scenes  in  this  mournful  drama.  Like 
Job's  messengers,  one  is  hardly  through  with  his  tale  of 
woe,  ere  the  footstep  of  another  is  heard.  After  death 
comes  the  parting  of  the  raiments.  There  were  three 
claimants:  the  Trustees,  the  citizens,  and  the  city.  There 
was  no  report  from  the  Trustees  in  1873.  Having  done 
nothing,  they  had  none  to  make.  The  Synod,  therefore, 
did  nothing  more  than  urge  the  Board  to  guard  its  claims. 

In  1874  the  Synod  appointed  a  new  set  of  Trustees,* 
with  instructions  to  look  into  its  holdings,  to  sell  the  Neal 
House,  and  to  make  a  settlement  with  the  claimants.  Un- 
der a  decree  of  the  Court,  the  house  was  sold  for  $13,566.88 
and  an  amicable  adjustment  made. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     135 

In  the  distribution,   the   city   received,   $5,752.15;      the 
citizens  received,  $4,558.30;    the  trustees  received,   $3,255.- 
93.      Including  the  $1,610  rent  and  making  $4,865.93,  which 
was  all  the  Trustees  received  out  of  the  wreck. 
ANOTHER  CHAPTER. 

This  amount,  being  the  last  of  the  funds,  was  left  in 
the  hands  of  Mr.  S.  D.  McConnell,  then  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  of  the  Board.  According  to  a  standing  rule  of 
the  Synod,  Mr.  McConnell  reported  this  amount  from  year 
to  year,  as  invested  in  State  and  City  bonds,  each  year 
adding  in  the  accruing  interest,  all  of  which  were  kept  in 
his  safe  under  combination  lock  until  1879,  when  the  Board 
ordered  funds  and  papers  put  into  a  tin  box  and  deposited 
in  the  Merchant's  Bank,  Atlanta.  The  box  was  made  but 
when  called  upon  for  the  bonds  and  papers  Mr.  McConnell 
candidly  confessed  that  he  had  applied  them  to  his  own 
use,  expecting,  as  he  said,  to  replace  them,  which,  however, 
he  acknowledged  himself  then  unable  to  do.  The  facts 
being  reported  to  the  Synod,  that  body  instructed  the 
Board  to  make  the  best  settlement  possible. 

For  the  $5,941.24,  he  acknowledged  in  his  possession, 
he  gave  five  notes  payable  in  Ave  years,  endorsed  by  A.  L. 
Eichelbereg  of  Ocala,  Fla.,  and  as  collateral,  lands  and  a 
lot  in  Ocala  and  Liberty  County,  Ga.  Of  this  amount  only 
$2,700  were  realized  and  that  not  until  1895,  when  the 
lands  given  as  security  were  sold  and  final  settlement 
made.  The  $2,700  were  then  placed  in  the  hands  of  Col. 
M.  A.  Candler,  who  was  elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
of  the  Board,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  McConnell,  and  under 
vrhose  judicious  management  had  in  1898  amounted  to  $3,- 
115.60,  which  by  the  order  of  the  Synod  was  turned  over 
to  the  Donald  Eraser  School  of  Decatur,  and  is  there  held 
as  stock,  the  authorities  of  said  institution  issuing  certifi- 
cate for  the  same.  What  other  complication,  if  any,  may 
yet  arise  over  this  ill-fated  remnant,  will  be  left  with  the 
future  alone  to  reveal. 

MIDWAY  HIGH  SCHOOL. 
Upon  the  removal  of  the  College  to  Atlanta,  in  1870, 
the  question  arose  what  was  to  be  done  with  the  Midway 


136     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH^  IN  GEORGIA 

property?  The  Board  at  their  meeting,  June  2nd,  adopted 
the  report  of  their  committee  to  whom  the  matter  was  re- 
ferred for  consideration.  In  their  report  they  stated  that 
the  College  owned  fifty  acres  of  land,  including  the  campus 
in  which  stands  the  dilapidated  college  buildings,  the  mark- 
et value  of  which  is  a  mere  trifle,  that  it  would  be  wrong  to 
the  church  at  large  to  throw  away,  for  a  trifling  sum,  what 
cost  so  much;  wrong  to  generous  local  contributors,  and 
descendants  in  the  immediate  vicinity,'  whose  contribu- 
tions amounted  to  seventy  or  more  thousand  dollars; 
wrong  to  purchasers  of  property  in  the  vicinity  to  make  no 
reparation;  wrong  to  the  invalid  widow  of  President  Tal- 
mage,  to  dispose  of  such  property  to  such  uses,  at  ber 
door  and  compel  her  to  leave  her  home.  They  therefore 
recommended  that  the  entire  real  estate  of  the  College  be 
conveyed  to  T,  T.  Windsor,  Elder  in  th  Milledgeville 
Church,  upon  trust,  that  he  will  execute  a  deed  to  seven 
persons  as  a  Board  of  Trustees  when  incorporated,  as  may 
be  elected  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Milledgeville, 
for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  a  Presbyterian  High  School 
upon  the  premises;  and  upon  the  condition,  that  said  prop- 
erty is  to  revert  to  the  Trustees  of  Oglethorpe  College, 
upon  the  non  usage  thereof,  or  the  failure  of  the  Milledge- 
ville Church  to  sustain  a  school  thereon,  for  the  contin- 
uous space  of  two  years ;  which  was  done  and  the  property 
conveyed  under  the  condition  aforesaid. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  in  1872  at  Albany  that 
body  resolved: 

"Whereas  the  want  of  the  country  was  a  school  like 
Rugby,  or  Eton  in  England,  between  a  Common  School 
and  College;  and  whereas  the  Trustees  of  the  Midway 
school  would  be  willing  to  surrender  back  the  property 
for  such  a  purpose.  Resolved  that  a  committee  be  appoint- 
ed to  consider  and  perfect  the  scheme  and  report  to  next 
Synod." 

The  Committee  reported  at  the  next  Synod: 
"That  w^hereas  so  many  of  the  Synods  were  opposed 
to  Ecclesiastical   control   of  educational  institutions,   they 
had  shaped  a  plan  whereby  the  school  at  Midway  would  be 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     137 

placed  •entirely  in  the  hands  of  a  Board  of  Trustees.  The 
only  power  to  he  retained  by  the  Synod  was  that  to  ap- 
point a  new  Board  of  Trustees  should  the  Board  at  any 
time  become  extinct."  The  name  of  the  School  was  to  be 
"The  Talmage  High  School."  They  also  named  the  eleven 
Trustees.     To  all  of  which  the  Synod  agreed. 

A  school  was  organized  and  continued  for  a  while  at 
Midway,  and  known  as  "The  Talmage  School,"  but  not  un- 
der the  management  of  this  Board  of  Trustees.  The  prop- 
erty was  never  transferred  to  them,  but  continued  in  the 
hands  of  the  Milledgeville  Board,  and  claimed  by  them  un- 
der the  deed  of  1870.  The  Talmage  School  soon  proved  a 
failure  and  was  abandoned. 

In  the  mean  while  the  people  of  Walhalla,  S.  C,  see- 
ing the  situation,  and  having  established  an  institution 
known  as  the  "Adger  College,"  sent  a  petition  to  the 
Synod  of  Georgia,  for  the  loan  of  the  library  and  Philos- 
ophical and  Chemical  Apparatus,  then  lying  idle,  and  to  be 
returned  when  required.  To  this  the  Synod  agreed,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Board.  They  were  not  removed,  how- 
ever. 

The  rest  of  the  story  is  soon  told.  The  buildings 
abandoned  and  neglected,  were  hastening  to  decay.  Then 
commenced  the  work  of  disintegration.  Portion  after 
portion  was  taken  down  and  carried  off,  by  whom  and  by 
whose  authority,  we  are  not  informed.  The  Trustees  of  the 
Milledgeville  church,  to  prevent  further  depredation,  ob- 
tained an  order  of  the  court  by  which  all  the  property  re- 
maining, was  sold  for  the  benefit  of  said  church.  This 
property  was  deeded  for  the  sole  purpose  of  establishing 
a  school  at  Midway,  and  for  no  other  purpose,  and  upon 
the  express  condition,  in  case  of  failure  or  misuse,  to  re- 
vert to  the  Trustees  of  the  Synod.  Upon  what  principle 
then  of  law,  was  this  judgment  of  the  court  based,  in  thus 
selling  the  same,  and  turning  over  the  proceeds  to  an  or- 
ganization that  did  not  have  even  the  shadow  of  a  title  to 
it,  is  something  the  uninitiated  will  never  understand. 
Perhaps  those  better  versed  in  methods  of  legal  casuistry, 
can  explain. 


138     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

The  mineral  cabinet,  which  had  been  carried  to  At- 
lanta, and  about  to  be  cast  into  the  streets  as  useless 
plunder,  was  kindly  cared  for  by  friends,  who  took  it  upon 
themselves  to  send  the  same  to  Davidson  College,  where  it 
still  remains.  In  1882,  the  remnants  of  the  Philosophical 
apparatus  were  gathered  up  and  placed  in  possession  of 
the  Georgia  Midland  Agricultural  School,  and  in  1893  the 
library,  or  what  was  left  of  it,  was  removed  to  the  Georgia 
State  Normal  School. 

Thus  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of  heaven,  this  -insti- 
tution, the  growing  pride  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  fin- 
ishes her  career  in  disintegration  and  ruin,  and  now  lies 
leveled  in  the  dust,  her  halls  deserted,  her  altars  broken 
down,  her  fires  gone  out,  and  not  a  single  vestige  left; 
only  her  sons,  to  tell  of  her  former  greatness,  and  shed 
bitter  tears  over  her  manifold  miseries! 

CLAIMS  OF  HEIRS  OF  JOSEPH  LANE. 

There  is  still  one  other  scene  ere  the  drama  closes, 
and  which  is  necessary  to  complete  this  wonderful  his- 
tory. The  contract  for  the  erection  of  the  buildings  was 
given  to  Mr.  Joseph  Lane.  In  the  great  compromise  made 
m  1849,  with  the  different  creditors  of  the  institution,  the 
heirs  of  Mr.  Lane,  then  deceased,  received  only  $5,000,  for 
their  claim  of  $17,464.  In  1879,  two  of  the  daughters,  their 
husbands  ministers  and  members  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia, 
presented  a  memorial  to  the  Synod,  asking  that  their 
wrong  might  be  redressed  by  a  sufficient  portion  of  the 
property  being  turned  over  to  them,  the  ground  of  the 
claim  being,  that  at  the  time  of  the  compromise,  one  of 
the  claimants  was  under  age,  and  the  other  under  coverture 
of  marriage  and  therefore  barred  from  the  courts  of  the 
country.  The  memorial  was  referred  to  the  board  for  ac- 
tion; the  Synod  declaring  that  no  legal  right  of  the  mem- 
orial should  be  barred  on  account  of  delay. 

The  Board  at  their  meeting  considered  the  matter, 
Messrs.  Cartledge  and  Milner  presenting  the  claims  of 
their  wives,  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Lane.  After  hearing  the  case, 
the  Board  decided  the  claims  of  the  petitioners  neither 
legal    nor   equitable.      Whereupon    Messrs.    Cartledge    and 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     139 

Milner,  upon  presentation  to  Synod  of  the  action  of  the 
Board  entered  their  protest  against  the  action  of  Synod,  in 
refusing  to  consider  and  settle  the  matter  itself,  instead  of 
referring  it  to  the  Board. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board  in  1900,  the  petition- 
ers again  appeared  with  this  proposition,  that  the  adjudi- 
cation of  the  matter  be  left  in  the  hand  of  three  referees, 
the  Synod  appointing  one,  the  Board  one,  and  these  two 
the  third.  The  Synod  agreed  to  the  proposal,  and  selected 
Rev.  W.  E.  Boggs,  D.  D.  The  Board  at  its  meeting  select- 
ed Col.  L.  P.  Mynatt. 

At  tlie  meeting  of  the  Synod  in  1881,  two  of  the  ref- 
erees reported  that  they,  through  unforseen  circumstances, 
had  been  prevented  from  forming  an  organization,  and  re- 
quested the  Synod  to  take  up  the  matter,  and  give  the 
heirs  a  hearing  during  the  present  sessions.  This  was  done. 
Elder  L.  F.  Livingston  offered  a  resolution  authorizing  the 
Board  to  turn  over  enough  of  the  assets,  as  shall  settle  the 
claim.  After  various  amendments  and  substitutes  the  res- 
olution was  lost  on  a  division  of  16  Ayes  and  28  Noes. 
Thus  ended  the  matter.  But  it  will  always  be  a  question 
in  the  minds  of  many,  whether  under  all  the  crcumstances, 
it  would  not  have  been  better  to  have  surrendered  the 
whole,  if  necessary,  and  thus  far  at  least,  wipe  out  a  part  of 
the  miser?  ble  stigma  that  must  ever  rest  upon  the  com- 
promise of  1849. 

THE  FRUITS. 

In  striking  contrast  with  all  these  blunders  and  mis- 
haps, this  wreck  and  ruin,  stands  out  the  noble  work  of  this 
Institution,  like  "apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver."' 
Oglethorpe  was  indeed  a  failure  from  a  business  or  world- 
ly standpoint,  but  from  a  spiritual  and  Heavenly,  a  Grand 
Success.  It  did  a  splendid  w^ork,  and  which  as  far  as  I 
know,  stands  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  similar  insti- 
tutions. Out  of  its  317  graduates,  we  count  72  ministers. 
Where  was  the  like  ever  known?  What  other  purely  lit- 
erary Institution  has  such  a  record?  Nearly  one  fourth  of 
her  graduates  ministers  of  the  gospel.  Upon  her  roll  also 
stands  a  number  of  college  professors,  and  a  host  of  teach- 


140     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ex"s,  physicians,  attorneys,  and  men  of  distinction.  To  Tier 
also  belongs  the  honor  of  furnishing  the  poet  Laureate  of 
Georgia,  Hon.  Sidney  C.  Lanier,  who  went  out  of  her  halls 
in  1860. 

But  the  crowning  glory  of  the  Institution,  was  the  fre- 
quent outpourings  of  the  Spirit,  and  precious  seasons  of 
grace.  Year  after  year  these  seasons  returned  with 
almost  unvarying  constancy,  thus  in  an  eminent  degree  be- 
most  unvarying  constancy.  Thus  in  an  eminent  degree  be- 
tokening the  Divine  favor.  It  would  be  impossible  to  tell 
the  number  of  precious  souls  who  were  thus  born  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  through  her  instrumentality.  Of  multi- 
tudes it  will  be  said  at  the  last  day,  when  God  shall  write 
up  his  people,  that  "this  and  that  man  was  born  in  her." 

Oglethorpe  was  anything  else  than  a  failure  in  her 
work,  and  though  the  expenditure  seemed  enormous,  the 
church  was  amply  repaid  for  the  outlay.  But  what  would 
have  been  her  record  by  this  time,  and  what  her  career  in 
the  future,  if,  with  such  beginnings,  and  such  prophetic 
fcreshadowings,  those  who  were  at  the  helm  had  only 
possessed  skill  enough  to  have  kept  the  Institution  off  the 
many  destructive  reefs  that  so  effectually  wrought  her 
ruin. 

CONCLUSION. 

I  have  now  finished  my  story.  I  am  fully  aware  that 
what  I  have  written  will  bring  a  pang  of  sorrow  to  the 
heart,  as  well  as  a  blush  of  shame  to  the  cheek,  of  every 
Presbyterian  who  reads  it.  I  wish  it  were  otherwise.  But 
tne  historian  is  not  expected  to  make  history,  but  simply 
write  it.  I  have  covered  up  nothing,  but  sought  to  give  an 
impartial  statement  of  the  facts  in  the  case,  just  as  I  find 
them  on  the  Records  which  are  before  me.  And  I  have  writ- 
ten with  no  other  spirit,  but  that  our  people  might  know^ 
and  knowing  them  might  learn  wisdom  from  some  of  the 
blunders  and  follies  of  the  past.  If  I  have  at  times  written 
with  seeming  sharpness,  it  is  because  of  my  interest  in, 
and  the  great  love  I  bear  to  my  Alma  Mater,  doomed  ever 
to  bear  the  reproach  of  an  inglorious  death,  with  her  bones 
yet  unbleached,  lying  scattered  in     every     direction,  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     141 

sport  of  the  jester,  as  well  as  the  wonder  of  every  passer 
by.  False  to  every  instinct  of  humanity  and  untrue  to 
every  noble  impulse,  would  that  heart  be  that  could  stand 
unmoved  in  the  midst  of  such  a  scene.  I  have  gazed  upon 
the  old  Coliseum  of  Rome,  one  of  the  seven  wonders  of 
the  world,  now  grandly  eloquent  in  its  ruins;  I  have  saun- 
tered pensively  along  the  buried  streets  of  Pompeii,  once 
the  scene  of  life  and  activity,  but  now  the  silent  mauso- 
leum of  her  dead;  I  have  visited  the  fields  of  Waterloo,  the 
theatre  of  such  carnage  and  blood,  where  the  sun  of  Na- 
poleon, which  shone  so  resplendantly  on  other  fields,  went 
down  in  darkness  to  rise  no  more,  but  upon  none  of  these 
have  I  looked  with  deeper  and  sadder  emotion,  than  the 
complete  destruction,  of  an  institution,  so  redolent  with 
prayer,  so  fruitful  in  works,  so  prophetic  with  hope,  and 
withal  so  deeply  rooted  in  the  hearts  of  God's  people. 

Let  the  Presbyterians  of  Georgia  awake;  and  like 
Jews  of  old,  after  their  return  from  captivity,  and  viewing 
their  beautiful  Temple  in  ruins,  stop  not  simply  with  the 
shedding  of  bitter  tears,  now  wholly  unavailing;  but  like 
them  go  to  work  to  rebuild  and  with  firm  resolve  to  make 
tneir  latter  house  even  more  glorious  than  the  former. 

♦Editor's  Note — Since  the  above  was  written  the  call 
and  prophecy  therein  seem  about  to  be  answered  and  ful- 
filled, for  a  movement  is  now  on  foot  to  revive  Oglethorpe 
University  in  Atlanta,  and  it  has  every  prospect  of  suc- 
cess at  this  time. 


142     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 
PRESIDENTS  OF  OGLETHORPE  UNIVERSITY. 


Rev.  C.  P.  B€man— 1836-1840. 

Rev.  John  Breckinridge— 1840    (Declined). 

Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage— 1841-1865. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Stiles,  D.  D.— 1866  (Declined). 

Rev.  Samuel  J.  Baird,  D.  D.— 1867   (Declined). 

Judge  A.  J.  Ingles— 1868  (Declined). 

Rev.  Wm.  M.   Cunningham,  D.  D.— 1868-1870. 

Rev.  David  Wills,  D.  D.— 1870-1872. 


VICE  PRESIDENT. 


Hon.  Eugenius  A.  Nisbet— 1836  (Declined). 


PROFESSORS. 


Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage,  Ancient  Languages — 1836-1840. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Howard,  Chaplain,  Moral  Philosophy, — 
1836-1839. 

N.  Macon  Crawford,  Mathematics  and  Astronomy — 
1836-1839. 

Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage,  Belles  Lettres,  Mental  Philos- 
ophy—1840-1842. 

O.  B.  Arnold  (Temp),  Ancient  Languages — 1840. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Davis,  Ancient  Languages— 1840-1842. 

J.  H.  Fitten,  Mathematics— 1842-1844. 

J.  B.   Mallard,  Natural  Philosophy— 1842-1843. 

Judge  C.  B.  Cole,  Law— 1842. 

Rev.  D.  McN.  Turner,  Ancient  Languages — 1842  (De- 
clined.) 

W.  P.  Finley,  Belles  Lettres  and  Mental  Philosophy — 
1843. 

Rev.  Thos.  S.  Witherspoon,  Ala.  Professor — 1844  (Died 
1845). 

Rev.  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick,Ala.  Professor — 1845  (Declined). 

Rev.  J.  W.  Baker,  Ancient  Languages — 1844-1851. 

Rev.  F.  Jacobs,  Mathematics  and  Astronomy — 1845- 
1849. 


THE   PRESBYTH:RIAX  church  in  GEORGIA     143 

Rev.  C.  W.  Lane,  Natural  Philosophy  and  Chemistry — 
1846-1869. 

Rev.  R.  C.  Smith,  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy— 1847- 
1869. 

J.  B.  Lyman  (Temp),  Mathematics  and  Astronomy — 
1849. 

Joseph  LeConte  M.  D.,  Chemical  Geology  and  Natural 
History— 185M852. 

Rev.  Jno.  L.  Kennedy,  Mathematics  and  Astronomy — 
1850-1851. 

James  Woodrow  Ph.  D.,  Chemistry,  Natural  Philos- 
ophy, Botany  and  Geology— 1853-1860. 

N.  A.  Pratt,  M.  D.,  Chemistry,  Natural  Philosophy,  Bot- 
any and  Geology— 1860-1863. 

Rev.  Wm.  Flinn,  Mathematics— 186^  (Declined). 

Samuel  G.  White,  M.  D.,  Chemistry  and  Lecturer — 
1867. 

Sylvanus  Bates,  Languages — 1867-1870. 

Rev.   Geo.  L.  Petrie,  Mathematics — 1869    (Declined). 

Gustavus  J.  Orr,  Mathematics  and  Astronomy — 1870- 
1872. 

Rev.  Donald  Eraser,  Languages — 1870-1872. 

Benj.  T.  Hunter,  Physilogy  and  Sciences— 1870-1871. 

W.  LeConte  Stevens,  Chemistry  and  Modern  Lang- 
uages—1870-1872. 

Richardson — 1871-1872. 


TUTORS. 


J.  H.  Fitten,  Mathematics— 1840-1842. 

J.   B.   Mallard,  Natural  Philosophy— 1841-1842. 

S.  L.  Knox— 1859. 

S.  C.  Lanier— 1860. 

TEACHERS  IN  HIGH   SCHOOL. 
R.  H.  Ramsay. 
W.  M.  Janes. 
E.  G.  Moore. 
J.  A.  Richardson. 
The  schools  of  Janes,     Richardson  and     Moore   were 


144     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

never  actually  a  part  of  Oglethorpe  University.  The  princi- 
pals may  have  consented  to  be  nominally  considered  as  a 
part  of  the  institution. 

Prof.  Hunter  was  in  charge  of  the  Oglethorpe  High 
School,  while  Janes,  Richardson  and  Moore,  were  Princi- 
pals of  The  Atlanta  High  School,  a  private  institution. 
When  Prof.  Hunter  resigned.  Prof.  Richardson  was  elected 
to  take  his  place.  When  Prof.  Orr  resigned  to  accept  State 
School  Commissioners'  position  by  appointment  from  Gov- 
ernor, Prof.  Richardson  was  elected  to  succeed  him. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     145 


ALUMNI. 


John  H.  Fitten 
Thomas  E.  Loyd 

John  Bilbo 
Fleming   G.   Davies 
Wm.  C.  Davies 
Oeo.  W.  Hardwick 


1839 


1840 


Wm.  J.  Sasnett 
John  B.  Whitehead 

Robert  W.  Jemmison 
B.   F.  McDonald 
Chas.  S.  Rockwell 
Chas.   J.   Williams 


1841 
Homer  Hendee  Chas.   A.   Stillman 

Randolph    Spaulding 


1842 


James  F.  Bozeman 
Francis    T.    Cullens 


Theodosius  B.  Davies 
George  W.  Fish 


Abner  H.  Bowen 
Wm,  L.  Franks 
Jas.  A.  Hall 
James  M,  King 


John  C.  Daniel 
William  Ivey 
George  R.  Ramsay 
Henry  Safford 


Chas.  W.  Lane 

1843 

Joseph  H.  Nisbet 
Geo.  W.  Owens 
Robert  A.  Smith 
Daniel  H.   B.   Troup 
James  J.  Neely 


1844 


Chas.  E.  Nisbet 
James  T.  Nisbet 
J.  W.  A  Sanford 
Robert  Tucker 


Thomas  H.  King 


1845 


Virgilius  M.  Barnes 
Joel  E.  Barnett 
G.  tt.  Cartledge 
Andrew  J.  Ford 
Benjamin   Fort 


Jno.  B.  Habersham 
Ellsworth  Park 
Phocion   Ramsey 
Elliott  J.   Smith 
Chas.  E.  Tefft 


Mo.ses  Fort 


146     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 


Benj.  L.  Beall 
Hines  H.  Goode 


Samuel  Carter 
Levi  Gallimore 
Joseph  S.  Merrill 


1846 


1847 


Hansen  Hall 
Americus  Lewis 


Joseph   M.   Quarterman 
Francis  P.   Stubbs 
nichard  L.  Warthen 


Thos.  F.  Wells 


1848 


Benjamin  P.  Carter 
G.  R.  Foster 
Donald  Fraser 
Algernon    S.    Hartridge 


L.   Stuart   Quarterman 
John  B.  Ragland 
John  M.   Smith 
Samuel  B.  Spencer 


Leander  L.  Varnedoe 


1849 


James    H.    Alexander 
James  S.  Bivins 
Charles    G.    Campbell 
A.  Walker  Sassels 
John  D,  Holmes 
R.  A.  Houston 


Thos.  J.   Adams 
John  W.   Duncan 
James  W.  Hardee 
Samuel    McClary 


Chas.    T.    Bannerman 
Andrew   Bowie 
Francis  H.  Bowman 
S.  A.   Calhcm 
Samuel  Y.   Carte-; 


Robert  W.   Milner 
Francis  C.  Morris 
Wm    H.  Roane 
James  Stacy 
Wm.  M.  Tucker 
Henry  M.  Weed 


Henry  C.  King 


1850 


1851 


W.  J.  McCormick 
John  G.  Richards 
Charlton  H.  Wilson 
Clinton  Wright 


John  McLeod 
Samuel  Orr 
Henry  B.  Pratt 
Joseph  J.  West 
Wm.   D.  Witherspoon 


Samrel  Hunter 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     147 


1852 


John  E.  Baker 
Wm.  H.  Baker 
Samuel   J.    Bingham 
Wm.    K.    Blake 
John  Cassels 
James  A.  Cousar 
J.  A.  Danforth 

W.  A.  Barron 
James  W.  Bones 
James  W,  Boyd 
James  D.   Clark 
B.  L.  Cochran 
W.  W.  Cochran 
J.  L.  Cunning 
Thos.  J.  Davidson 
I.  L.  Ellington 
W.    S.    Frierson 
James  S.  Gamble 


1853 


Chas.  H.  Hall 
Nathaniel   Pratt 
C.  J.  Silliman 
L.  A.  Simonton 
Arthur  Small 
Robert   R.   Small 
Thos.  L.   Taylor 

William  Hall 
Emmet  R.  Johnson 
R.  A.  Jones 
Elmore  Kinder 
A.  R.  Liddell 
A.  McLeod 
John  McLeod 
John  C.  Moore 
Walker  D.  Newell 
C.  Whitfield  Smith. 
Levi  Wilcoxon 


Myron  D.  Wood 


1854 


Isaac  W.  Avery 
Thos.  M.  Beaty 
David  C.  Boggs 
W.  E.  Boggs 
C.  L.  R.  Boyd 
M.  B.  Boyd 
Wm.  D.  Boyd 
Joel  C.  Briscoe 

S.  E.  Axson 
T.  Q.  Cassels 
A.  M.  C.  Duncan 
John  Ferguson 
E.  O.  Frierson 
James  H.  Hamilton 


Wm.   T.   M.  Dickson 
Z.  C.  Fort 
Roger  L.  Gamble 
Andrew  F.  Hill 
A.  Fort  Hunter 
J.  B.  Parr 
A.  Pickens  Smith 
Wm.  A.  Williamson 


ISl 


H.  L.  Harvey 
J.  C.  Patterson 
M.  M.  Slaughter 
Theodore  E.  Smith 
W.  S.  Smith 
Jno.  L.  Underwood 
Thos.  O.  Wicker 


148     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 


Robert  Bradley 
E.  Calhoun 
W.  A.  Carter 
B.  H.   Craig 
H    K.  Daniels 


R.  Q.  Baker 
G.  S.  Barnsley 
G.  A,  Bivins 
F.  A.  Borden 
James  H.  Bryan 
A.  Buchanan 
S.  J.  Cassels 
W.  W.  W.  Clay 
R.  H.  Buchanan 
J.   S.   Cozby 
W.  T.  Daniel 
R.  H.  Fleming 
Tomlinson   Fort 


1856 


1857 


W.  H.  Harris 
R.  W.  McCormick 
W.  McPherson 
A.  W.  Millican 
Geo.  S.  Thomas 


D.  G.  Fulton 
W.  A.  Gregg 
B.  T.  Hunter 
R.  E.  Martin 
Jno.  B.   McDowell 
D.  i-.  Mclntyre 
J,  M.  Oliver 
L.  W.  Phillips 
W.  S.  Ramsay 
J.  M.  Reid 
W.  G.  Robson 
W.   E.   Sherrill 
R.  L.  Wiggins 


L.  B.  AVilson 


1858 


C.  B.  Adams 

D.  S.  Bethune 

E.  J.  Bower 
A.  P.  Calhoun 
Allen  Crosby 
Jno.  E.  DuBose 
A.  W.  Fleming 
Thos  F.  Fleming 
John  Hardeman 
Theo.  Hunter 
W.  L.  LeConte 
W.  A.  Little 

D.   M.  McClure 


D.  McDuffie 
A.  W.   Morrison 
J.  H.  Nail 
Henry  S.  Orme 
Jas.  A.  Shingler 
G.  W.  Smith 
D.  N.  Speer 
J.  F.  Stinson 
John  M.  Tarver 
C.  Toxey 
W.  S.  Toxey 
Jas.  F.  White 
C.  J.  Williamson 


H.  J.  Winn 


FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,   COLUMBUS,   GA. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     149 


1859 


C.  A.  Baker 
W.  B.  Bingham 
S.  Dowse  Bradwell 
J.  D.  A.  Brown 
L.  M.  Cassels 
Edwin  K.  Fulton 
E.  M.  Green 
G.  F.  Johnson 
W.   P.  Johnson 
S.  L.  Knox 
Geo.  W.  Ladson 


Jas.  W.  Law 
H.  S.  Little 
W.  J.  Martin 
A.  P.  Miller 
T.  Newell 
William  Pelham 
Geo.  L.  Petrie 
Sam  H.  Spencer 
W.  W.  Spencer 
F.  Tufts 
W.  A.  Wilson 


1860 


C.  T.  Bayne 
J.  W.  Burroughs 
Wm.  Craig 
W.  H.  Fay 
R.  W.  Flournoy 
Jno.  P.  Fort 
J.  E.  Fulton 
J.  M.  Geotchius 
-T.  L.  Oreer 
Ihos.  Hardeman 


E.  F.  Hoge 

J.  W.  Kendrick 

J.  W.  King 

S.  C.  Lanier 

Harrison  Millican 

S.  A.  Pressly 

N.  P.  Quarterman 

J.  T.  Roberts 

J.  G.  Spencer 

W.  R.  Slaughter 


1861 


John  W.  Baker 
J    A.  Beall 
Chas.  M.  Boyd 
J.  G.  Brown 
E.  P.  Cater 
J.  P.  D.   Cooper 
Geo.  P.  Crichton 
S.  T.  Dean 
Jno.  Ditmars 
M.  JL.  Frierson 


Thos.  J. 


J.  F.  Green 
Anthony  W.   Hale 
John  J.  James 
W.  E.  James 
Jno.  G.  Lane 
James  A.  McCaw 
J.  S    McDowell 
Hugh  W.  Montgomery 
John   Montgomery 
Chas.  Phillips 
Shine 


150     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

1862 


J.  J.  Boyd 
Clias.   Coleman 


Joseph  M.  Brown 
B.  P.  Gaillard 
Chas.  Gaskill 
Clinton  Gaskill 


A.  C.  Briscoe 

W.  A.  McDowell" 

I.  M.  Ginn 

W.    T.   Hollinis  worth 

J.  J.  Johnson 


1871 


James  G.  Lane 
R.  H.  Nail 


R.  A.  Massey 
William   Spencer 
R.  Neal  Smith 
J.  T.  Wills 

1872 

John  Jones 
W.  W.  Killough 
W.  T.  Moyers 
W.  A.  Taylor 
B.  K.  Throw^er 
Willis  Venable 

Total— 317 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     151 
LIST  OF  MINISTERS 


W.  J.  Sasnett 

1839 

Homer  Hendee 

1841 

Charles  A.  Still] 

C.  W.  Lane 

1842 

G.  H.  Cartledge 

1845 

B.  L.  Beall 

1846 

Hansen  Hall 

Jos.  M.  Quartermaa 

1847 

G.  R.  Foster 

1848 

Donald  Fraser 

J.  H.  Alexander 
R.  A.  Houston 
R.  W.  M.lner 

1849 

F.  C.  Morris 
W.  H.  Roane 
James  Stacy 

W.  J.  MoCormick 
J.  G  Richards 

1850 

C.  H.  Wilson 

F.  H.  Bowman 
Samuel  Orr 

1851 

H.  B.  Pratt 

S,  J.  Bingham 
S.  A.  Coiisar 
J.  A.  Danforth 
0.  J.  Stillman 

1852 

L.  A.  Simonton 
Arthur  Small 
Robt.  R.  Small 

Thomas  J.  Davidson 
William  Hall 
Elmore  Kinder 

1853 

A.  R.  Liddell 
M.  D.  Wood 

David  O  Boags 
W.  L.  Boggs 

1854 

A.  Pickens  Smitl 

152     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

1855 


S.  E.  Axson 
E.  0.  Friersoa 
H.  L.  Harvey 

T.  E.  Smith 

J.  L.  Underwood 

Robert  Bradley 
W.  A.  Carter 

1856 

R.  W.  McCormick 

R.  Q.  Baker 
J.  S.  Cosbv 
W.  A.  Gregg 

1857 

B.  T.  Hunter 
D.  E   Mclutyre 
L.  B.  Wilson 

Jno.  E.  DuBose 
Theo.  Hunter 
S.  D.  McLure 

1858 

D.  M.  McDuffie 
J.  H.  Nail 

C.  A.  Baker 
J.  D.  A.  Brown 
E.  M.  Green 

1859 

Geo.  W.  Ladson 
Geo.  L.  Petrie 

W.  H.  Fay 

1860 

N.  P.  Quarterman 

John  Ditmars 

1861 

B.  L.  Baker 

James  G.  Lane 

1862 

R.  H.  Nail 

R.  Neal  Smith 

1871 

I.  M.  Ginn 

W.  T.  Hollingsworth 

1872 

J.  J.  Johnson 
W.  W.  Killough 

Total  72 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     153 
HO?^ORARY  DEGREE  OF  D.  D. 


Rev.  Richard  B.  Cater   1847 

Rev.  Mr.  Houston,  Knockbrecken,  Ireland   1848 

Rev.  John  Stoughton,  London   18-")0 

R€V.  B.  M.  Palmer 1852 

Rev.  John  S.  Wilson    1852 

Rev.  Robert  H.  Nail   1852 

Rev.  Remembrance  Chamberlain  (Declined)    1852 

Rev.  C.  P.  Beman 1853 

Rev.  E.  P.  Rogers    1853 

Rev.  N.  A.  Pratt    1854 

Rev.   Sylvester  Woodbridge    1855 

Rev.   J.   C.   Patterson    1856 

Rev.  E.   T.   Biiist    1857 

Rev.  Joseph  R.   Wilson    1857 

Rev.  J.   L.   Girardeau    1866 

Rev.   J.   R.   Burgett    1866 

Rev.  David  Wills   1866 

Rev.  Jas.  E.  Evans    1866 

Rev.  Donald  McQueen   1871 

Rev.  R.  C.  Mclnnis    1871 

HONORARY  DEGREE  OF  L.  L.  D. 

Hon.  William  Law 1852 

Rev.  J.  H.  Thornvvell,  D.  D 1855 

Hon    Washington  Poe    1869 

Hon.   A.  Ingles    1871 

Rev.   George  Howe,  D.  D 187J 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


UNIVERSITY  SCHEME. 

After  the  demise  of  the  Oglethorpe  School,  the  idea  of 
a  southern  institirtion  of  high  order  still  lingered  in  the 
minds  of  several  leading  educators  of  the  church.  In  1889 
a  communication  was  received  from  the  Synod  of  North 
Carolina  upon  the  subject  of  establishing  such  an  insti- 
tution, which  was  to  be  under  the  patronage  of  the  four 
Synods  of  North  and  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  South 
Georgia  and  Florida,  and  to  bear  the  pleasing  and  sug- 
gestive sobriquet,  "The  South  Atlantic  University."  After 
due  consideration  of  the  matter,  and  an  address  by  Dr. 
J.  B.  Shearer,  a  corresponding  delegate  from  the  Synod  of 
North  Carolina,  and  who  might  justly  be  regarded  as  the 
father  of  the  scheme,  it  was  resolved  by  the  Synod  that 
"they  appoint  three  commissioners,  who  shall  meet  with 
similar  commissioners  from  the  other  Synods,  to  confer 
with  them,  and  report  to  the  Synods  such  measures  as 
may  seem  best  and  most  practicable,  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  object."  Under  this  resolution.  Rev.  Messrs. 
G.  B.  Strickler  and  G.  T.  Goetchius  and  Elder  Clifford 
Anderson  were  appointed  such  Commissioners.  Indeed  i" 
appears  that  action  had  been  taken  upon  the  subject  even 
before  this,  for  a  communication  had  been  sent  to  the  Syn- 
od in  1888,  and  by  a  convention  that  had  been  held  in  At- 
lanta sometime  in  July  before,  by  whom  called,  or  bv 
whom  attended,  the  records  do  not  show.  A  Commission 
WKs  appointed  by  said  Convention,  co  bring  the  matter  of 
establishing  a  university  to  the  attention  of  the  Synod. 
In  response,  the  Synod  expressed  its  gratification  at  the 
paper  presenred  by  the  Commission,  and  cordially  en- 
dorsed the  object  set  forth,  and  the  work  it  had  done.  It 
further  authorized  the  Commission  to  formulate  a  plan 
for  the  proposed  university,  or  college,  to  receive  sub- 
scriptions for  the  same,  to  determine  the  location,  etc 
And  furthermore,  that  as  the  Commission  declared  the  be- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     155 

lief  that  the  city  of  Atlanta  would  give  $75,000  and  a  loca- 
tion, to  go  forward  and  see  if  a  similar  amount  might  not 
be  obtained  outside  of  the  same."     Min.  1890.  Pages,  9,  15. 

At  the  same  meeting,  an  Overture  was  sent  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Athens,  asking  the  Synod  to  use  its  in- 
fluence to  secure  the  removal  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary from  Columbia,  to  some  point  in  Georgia,  the  reason 
of  the  overture  being  the  embarrassed  condition  of  the 
Institution,  growing  out  of  the  evolution  controversy.  An- 
other consideration  was  the  idea  of  ultimately  incorporat- 
ing it  as  the  "Theological  Department  of  the  proposed 
1-resbyterian  University,  contemplated  In  the  measures 
adopted  at  the  late  Centennial  Convemion  held  in  Atlan- 
ta." The  Synod,  however,  declined  acting  in  accordance 
with  the  suggestion. 

The  above  named  Commissioners,  appointed  under 
the  first  act,  reported  for  a  number  of  years  nothing  defi- 
nite, 'however.  They  generally  report;feid,  ^'Progress/' 
sometimes  adding  that  the  "prospect  was  encouraging"  but 
railing  to  state  wherein. 

This  state  of  things  continued  till  19ul,  when  the 
Synod  met  in  Valdosta.  The  brethren  of  Southern  Geor- 
gia, and  especially  of  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah,  feeling 
more  and  more  the  importance  of  a  school  for  the  hig~her 
education  of  their  sons,  had  commenced  agitating  the 
question  of  establishing  such  a  school  of  their  own;  and 
the  people  of  Valdosta  became  so  solicitous  that  they 
were  ready  and  willing  to  contribute  largely  to  its  erec- 
tion especially  if  located  in  their  place.  After  quite  an  an- 
imated and  protracted  discussion.  Synod  resolved  to  pro- 
ceed to  establish  a  college  for  boys.  A  Board  of  Trustees 
were  appointed  with  power  to  proceed  at  once,  in  taking 
all  the  preliminary  steps  of  location,  receiving  offer  of 
bids,  etc.  They  were  to  enlist  the  co-operation  of  the 
Synods  of  Alabama  and  Florida;  but  if  they  failed  in  this, 
to  proceed  alone.  All  this,  of  course,  took  the  place  of  the 
South  Atlantic  University,  which  scheme  soon  gravitated 
out  of  sight. 

The   Board   had   one   or   two   meetings   and    were   pro- 


156     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ceeding  with  the  work  in  hand.  In  the  mean  while,  it  be- 
gan to  be  whispered  around  that  as  neither  Clarkesville 
nor  Columbia  seemed  to  be  doing  much  where  they  were, 
that  they  might  be  induced  to  remove  and  unite  with  the 
new  College  at  Atlanta  and  thus  form  the  nucleus  of  a 
grand  Presbyterian  University.  At  a  called  meeting  of  the 
Synod  of  Georgia  at  Atlanta  in  1902  (the  only  one  ever 
held),  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  this  Board  rest  its  action  at  this 
point  until  information  touching  the  consolidation  of  two 
important  institutions  can  be  ascertained,  whether  feas- 
ible or  not.  If  not  the  Board  shall  proceed  under  their 
original  instructions,  with  permission  to  make  the  amount 
$200,000,  instead  of  $50,000,  as  first  determined." 

The  city  of  Atlanta  had  agreed  to  give  $200,000  and  a 
suitable  location  provided  Clarkesville  and  the  Seminary 
would  consent  to  the  consolidation  and  location  in  her 
borders.  The  citizens  went  to  work  with  quite  a  zeal  and 
soon  secured  the  subscription  promised.  But  when  the 
proposition  was  submitted  at  Clarkesville,  chey  refused  to 
enter  the  compact,  as  might  easily  have  been  forseen.  And 
no  doubt  as  serious  difficulties  would  have  arisen  at  Co- 
lumbia. So  it  soon  became  apparent  to  all  concerned 
that  the  scheme  was  a  failure  and  the  idea  of  a  grand 
University  abandoned.  (And  after  all,  whether  there  was 
any  necessity  for  any  such  institution,  and  what  the  rela- 
tive proportion  of  sentiment,  and  real  necessity,  entering 
into  the  scheme,  we  leave  the  reader  to  decide  for  him- 
self.) 

RECENT  EFFORTS. 

After  the  abandonment  of  the  University  idea,  the 
Synod  returned  to  its  original  plan  of  having  an  institution 
of  its  own.  Hence  at  its  meeting  at  Macon  in  1907  it  adopt- 
ed the  recommendations  of  its  Board  in  "renewing  its  al- 
legiance to  the  college  idea,"  in  continuing  its  Board,  and 
in  proceeding  at  once  to  raise  the  amount  of  $50,000  over 
and  above  what  is  given  by  the  community  securing  its 
location,  at  the  same  time  giving  the  March  collection 
to  this  cause,  a  part  of  which  was  to  go  to  defraying  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     157 

expenses  of  the  Board.  A  great  deal  of  enthusiasm  was 
awakened  at  the  meeting,  there  being  present  a  large 
delegation  from  the  city  of  Dublin  to  urge  the  claims  of 
that  place.  But  with  the  increasing  opposition  on  the 
part  of  many,  and  beginning  to  feel  the  financial  pressure 
on  the  country,  Synod  felt  constrained  to  suspend  all  op- 
eration for  the  present,  as  appears  from  the  following 
resolution  adopted  at  Athens,  1909,  commending  the  dili- 
gence of  the  Board,  and  asserting  that  "in  view  of  the 
prevailing  financial  stringency,  the  project  be  abandoned." 
Thus  the  matter  now  stands.  What  will  be  done  in  the  fu- 
ture, if  anything,  we  are  unable  to  say. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


FEMALE  COLLEGES. 

For  a  long  time  th-e  matter  of  female  education  was 
entirely  in  the  background  in  the  state,  but  recently  it  ha«i 
come  to  the  front,  and  equal,  if  not  even  greater,  promi- 
nence given  it  than  the  education  of  the  males. 

The  first  female  college  in  the  state  was  that  established 
by  the  Methodists  at  Macon  and  first  known  as  "The  Geor- 
gia Female  College,"  and  first  opened  for  pupils  January 
7,  1839;  but  changed  its  name  to  "Wesleyan  Female  Col- 
lege" in  1850. 

The  first  Baptist  Female  College  in  Georgia,  was  the 
"Southern  Female  College,"  a  school  of  high  order  estab- 
lished at  LaCrange  by  Dr.  J.  E.  Dawson  in  1843,  and  in 
1845  converted  into  a  college,  under  the  control  of  Mr.  Mil- 
ton E.  Bacon,  of  Liberty  county. 

The  first  Presbyterian  College  was  that  established  at 
Rome  by  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  as  a  high  school  in  1845, 
but  chartered  as  a  college  in  184 — 

The  first  effort  at  a  Synodical  Female  School  was  in 
1848,  at  its  meeting  at  Columbus.  An  informal  proposition 
had  reached  the  ears  of  Synod  that  the  people  of  For- 
syth had  held  a  meeting  and  expressed  a  willingness  to 
furnish  a  suitable  lot  and  building,  if  the  Synod  would  es- 
tablish and  maintain  a  school  at  that  place,  for  the  educa- 
tion of  females.  The  Synod  most  heartily  entered  into 
the  suggestion  and  even  went  so  far  as  to  elect  a  board  to 
confer  with  the  people  of  Forsyth.  Nothing,  however, 
seems  to  have  come  of  the  project,  as  the  measure  doubt- 
less fell  through  for  a  want  of  satisfactory  arrangements 
to  both  parties. 

The  next  year,  1849,  at  its  meeting  at  Greensboro,  still 
feeling  a  deep  interest  in  the  matter,  only  quickened  bj  the 
Forsyth  effort.  Synod  appointed  a  committee  to  consider 
the  feasibility  of  establishing  one  or  more  female  colleges. 
The  Committee  having  reported  favorably,  another  was  ap- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     159 

pointed  to  notify  the  churches,  and  to  solicit  proposals 
from  different  localities  and  to  report  to  the  next  Synod. 

The  following  points  were  covered  by  this  report: 

That  "We  need  at  least  one  institution  which  shall 
combine  the  following  features: 

1st.     A  thorough  religious  training. 

2nd.  A  course  of  studies  in  the  solid  sciences  and  in 
Literature  and  ornamental  branches,  which  shall  compare 
favorably  wit'h  any  other  denominational  Seminary  in  the 
State  or  in  the  North. 

3rd.  Terms  so  moderate  that  the  daughters  of  ordi- 
nary farmers  can  afford  the  expense. 

4th.  A  location  pleasant,  healthy  and  easy  of  access, 
and  where  a  salutary  religious  influence  will  be  thrown 
around  them  " 

With  this  explanation  of  the  object  and  aim,  the  com- 
mittee recommended  to  Synod: 

To  issue  a  proposition  to  the  churches  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  such  an  Institution  on  the  following  condi- 
tions: 

1st.  The  Synod  shall  not  be  expected  to  incur  any 
pecuniary  responsibilities. 

2nd.  That  is  shall  not  be  considered  as  exclusively 
pledged  to  one  institution. 

3rd.  That  the  institution,  if  established,  shall  be  un- 
der the  control  of  Synod,  and  that  the  moral  and  religious 
instruction  given  in  it  shall  be  in  accordance  with  our 
views  of  the  word  of  God;  and 

4th.  That  if  circumstances  ever  render  it  expedient. 
In  the  opinion  of  Synod,  to  discontinue  the  arrangement, 
the  property  shall  revert  to  the  control  of  the  original 
donors. 

The  following  committee  were  appointed  under  this 
resolution:  Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage,  D.  D.,  Rev.  W.  M.  Cun- 
ningham, Rev.  N.  A.  Pratt,  Rev.  J.  B.  Ross  and  Rev.  Joshua 
Phelps. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  Synod  at  Augusta,  November. 
1850,  the  committee  reported  that  the  following  places  had 
sent  up  proposals,  viz:    Madison,     Greensboro,     Decatur, 


160     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Griffin,  and  Canton.  After  due  consideration  of  the  sub- 
ject, Synod  resolved  to  establish  two  "Female  High 
Schools,"  one  within  the  bounds  oi  the  Presbytery  of  Hope- 
well, and  the  other  within  the  bounds  of  the  Pres'bytery  of 
Flint  River.  On  going  into  an  election,  Greensboro  and 
Griffin  were  chosen,  the  first  in  the  bounds  of  Hopewell, 
and  the  other  of  Flint  River,  in  different  parts  of  the 
Synod. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution  for 
their  government  and  the  following  Trustees  were  chosen: 

Trustees  for  Greensboro — Ministers:  Messrs.  F.  Bow- 
man, S.  K.  Talmage,  D.  D.,  N.  Hoyt,  D.  D.,  W.  Baird,  J.  W. 
Reid;  Laymen:  John  Cunningham,  Henry  Merrill,  R.  Hub- 
bard, W.  B.  Johnson,  Dr.  T.  N.  Poullain,  Hon.  W.  C.  Daw- 
son, Josiah  Davis,  Col.  Y,  P.  King,  F.  H.  Cone,  Esq.,  Wm. 
H.  D.  Weaver,  James  L.  Brown,  Esq. 

Trustees  for  Griffin — Ministers:  W.  J.  Keith,  J.  B. 
Stevens,  W.  M.  Cunningham,  R.  T.  Marks,  J.  Y.  Alexander, 
A.  G.  Peden;  Laymen:  John  B.  Reid,  Esq.,  H.  P.  Kirkpat- 
rick,  Curtis  Lewis,  Esq.,  Hon.  James  K.  Stark,  Gen.  E.  P. 
Daniel,  Wm.  W.  Chapman,  Esq.,  Dr.  Jas.  S.  Long,  Jas.  S. 
Jones,  Esq.,  Col.  A.  R.  Moore,  Washington  Poe,  Esq.,  Cy- 
rus Sharp,  Wm.  Markham. 

Reports  were  received  at  the  next  meeting  of  Synod 
which  met  at  Griffin  the  next  yar,  (1851),  from  the  trus- 
tees of  both  these  institutions  showing  that  progress  had 
been  made  in  carrying  out  the  instruction  of  the  Synod. 
The  Trustees  of  Greensboro  stated  that  tlieir  building,  a 
handsome  'brick  structure,  was  nearly  completed  and  would 
be  ready  by  the  first  of  January  of  the  coming  year.  Synod 
encouraged  them  to  go  forward  in  the  enterprise  with 
greater  zest,  insisting  however  upon  two  things,  in  the 
conduct  of  the  school  when  in  operation:  1st,  to  eschew 
the  system  of  dormitories,  but  the  placing  of  the  pupils, 
not  in  crowds,  'but  in  private  families  of  refinement  and  re- 
ligious influence,  that  they  might  not  lose  the  benefit  of 
home  training.  2nd,  The  exclusion  from  the  institution  of 
all  exhibitions  "In  Modo  Theatri."  * 

(Remark)      We   cannot  suppress  our  hearty   endorse- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     161 

m€nt  of  a  sentiment  so  pertinent,  and  so  eminently  scrip- 
tural withal!  How  cheap  and  common  is  woman  becoming 
in  our  Southland,  since  the  overthrow  of  the  old  regime, 
and  the  importation  of  foreign  ideas.  Paradoxical  as  it  may- 
seem,  t'he  very  effort  to  elevate,  has  only  tended  to  de- 
grade, by  robbing  her  of  that  innate  modesty,  which  con- 
stitutes her  crowning  virtue  and  glory! 

The  report  from  the  Griffin  School  showed  that  they 
had  secured  an  elegant  site,  and  had  adopted  a  plan  for 
the  building,  which  was  su'bmitted  for  inspection,  both  of 
which  the  Synod  highly  approved.  They  also  reported  a 
plan  for  raising  funds  for  the  creation  of  ten  scholarships, 
which  was  also  approved,  and  which  for  the  present,  in- 
stead of  being  limited  to  one  pupil,  might  be  extended  to 
all  the  daughters  of  any  one  family.  They  also  recom- 
mend that  the  Board  go  forward  vigorously  to  carry  the 
enterprise  into  full  effect. 

The  report  of  the  next  year  (1852,)  showed  t'he  com- 
pletion of  the  building  at  Greensboro,  the  selection  of  Rev. 
Robert  Logan,  as  president,  with  a  competent  corps  of 
teachers,  and  a  successful  beginning  and  operation  during 
the  year.  The  Synod  commended  the  work  of  the  Trus- 
tees, and  especially  the  rule  adopted  by  the  Board  in  re- 
quiring the  pupils  "to  lodge  in  private  families"  of  re- 
spectability, and  in  abolishing  sucTi  public  exhibitions  as 
are  adapted  to  blunt  those  sentiments  of  delicacy  and 
modesty,  which  are  as  valuable  and  ornamental  to  the  fe- 
male character  as  education  itself. 

The  report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Griffin  School  show- 
ed that  said  school  was  not  yet  in  operation.  Synod  ex- 
pressed its  gratification,  however,  at  the  advanced  stage 
of  the  building,  and  selection  of  President  and  suitable 
corps  of  teachers,  and  expressed  the  hope  thut  the  amount 
still  needed  for  the  completion  of  the  building  would  soon 
be  obtained. 

The  next  annual  reports  (1853)  showed  the  Greensboro 
institution  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and  the  institution 
growing  in  favor,  the  number  of  pupils  being  107.  The 
financial  condition   also   reported   good;    the   debt   having 


162     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

been  materially  reduced.  The  resignation  of  Rev.  Robert 
Logan  and  election  of  R€v.  I.  S.  K.  Axson  as  prsident  was 
reported  and  approved  and  the  election  confirmed. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Griffin  School  reported  the  com- 
pletion of  the  building  and  election  of  Rev.  C.  P.  B.  Mar- 
tin as  Principal  which  was  confirmd.  The  Synod  also  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  visitation  to  attend  the  next  com- 
mencement and  closing  exercises. 

The  reports  for  the  year  1854  were  both  very  encour- 
aging. The  board  of  visitors  to  Griffin  reported  every 
thing  satisfactory,  "the  course  of  instruction  being  thor- 
ough and  practical."  So  the  Greensboro  College  was  re- 
ported "in  a  highly  prosperous  condition,"  and  "meeting- 
the  highest  expectation  of  its  founders,"  the  only  shadow 
being  the  anticipated  loss  of  Dr.  Axson  from  the  presidency, 
he  having  been  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Independent 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Savannah. 

The  next  reports  were  still  more  flattering.  The  Grif- 
fin College  showed  "a  degree  of  prosperity  fully  equal  to 
the  expectations  of  its  friends;"  and  the  Synod  could  even 
see  the  hand  of  Providence  in  the  choice  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Pat- 
terson in  the  place  of  Rev.  Mr,  Martin,  who  had  resigned, 
which  they  thought  prophetic  of  still  greater  prosperity  in 
the  future. 

So  of  the  Greensboro  School,  which  they  declared  not 
only  a  success,  but  as  even  "surpassing  our  most  sanguine 
expectations;"  the  graduation  class  numbering  nineteen 
with  one  hundred  in  attendance. 

From  this  time  on  we  find  somewhat  of  a  change  iii 
the  tone  of  the  reports.  Concerning  the  Greensboro  School 
the  Synod  asserts  that  its  affairs  "Have  been  judiciously 
managed  by  the  Board,  and  successfully  conducted  in  its 
educational  departments,  by  the  Faculty."  Concerning  the 
Griffin  School,  that  whilst  greatly  "pleased  at  the  contin- 
ued success  of  the  educational  department"  at  the  same 
time,  ""they  had  heard  with  painful  regret  of  the  pecuniary 
embarrassment  now  in  the  College." 

The  next  year  (1857)  Synod  expressed  its  approval  at 
the  manner  in  which  the  affairs  of  the  College  at  Griffin 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IX  GEORGIA     1G3 

have  been  conducted,  but  also  expressed  its  regret  that 
"its  financial  affairs  were  still  in  an  embarrassed  condi- 
tion." 

Touching  the  Greensboro  School,  Synod  declared 
that  there  were  things,  both  to  dampen  the  ardor  and  dis- 
courage the  hearts  of  the  friends  of  the  institution,  as  well 
as  other  things  to  awaken  gratitude  and  inspire  fresh 
courage."  Among  the  former,  the  frequent  changes  in  the 
Jb'aculty  and  the  pressing  indebtedness  of  the  institution; 
among  the  latter,  the  election  of  Rev.  Homer  Hendee  to 
the  presidency,  under  whose  management  much  was  ex- 
pected. 

The  Synod  again  the  next  year  (1858),  repeats  its'  en- 
dorsements of  these  institutions  and  again  calls  attention 
to  the  indebtedness  resting  upon  each,  and  especially  in 
the  case  of  the  Griffin  school,  and  urging  the  importance  of 
liquidation. 

In  the  next  year  (1859,)  we  find  no  report  or  any  men- 
tion made  of  Griffin.  Concerning  the  Greensboro  school 
we  find  the  following  allusion  to  its  indebtedness.  After 
asserting  that  the  Instittuion  was  selfsustaining,  the  com- 
mittee goes  on  to  say  that  "we  regret  to  state  that  the 
institution  still  labors  under  the  burden  of  its  old  debt." 
All  of  its  liabilities  are  now  concentrated  in  the  hands  of 
one  of  its  oldest,  and  noblest  friends,  (Mr.  John  Cunning- 
ham) whose  devotion  to  the  institution,  especially  in  the 
matter  of  pecuniary  indulgence,  we  feel  deserves  our 
warmest  commendation.  We  recommend  to  the  Synod  the 
adoption  of  any  wise  measure  which  promises  relief  from 
this  pecuniary  eni'barrassment. 

The  tone  of  the  reports  to  the  Synod  the  next  year 
(1860)  continue  as  heretofore,  after  the  most  commenda- 
tory statements,  calling  attention  to  their  continued  indebt- 
edness. The  committee  on  the  Greensboro  school,  begins  its 
report  with  the  statement.  "It  is  with  deep  regret  that  we 
learn  from  the  ofl[icial  source,  that  it  is  not  in  a  more  pros- 
perous condition,  than  it  is.  *  *  *  *  It  still  lies  under  the 
burden  of  a  crushing  debt  *  *  *  *  and  unless  something  ef- 


164     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ficient  is  speedily  done,  we  are  assured  that  the  institu- 
tion must  be  abandoned  and  its  prosperity  sacrificed." 

So  with  regard  to  the  Griffin  College:  "Synod  deeply 
regrets  to  learn  that  the  comparatively  small  amount  hang- 
ing over  this  institution,  is  still  an  embarrassment  in  the 
way  of  its  complete  success  and  prosperity." 

We  find  no  mention  in  the  minutes  of  Synod  of  Greens- 
boro College  for  the  next  year  (1861),  and  the  only  men- 
tion of  the  Griffin  school,  that,  "Dr.  J.  C.  Patterson  made 
a  statement  concerning  the  condition  of  Griffin  College." 

As  the  cry  of  indebtedness  and  appeal  for  aid  was 
coming  up  year  after  year,  althougli  distinctly  asserted  at 
the  outset  that  the  Synod  would  not  assume  any  indebted- 
ness; and  as  the  great  struggle  between  the  states  was  be- 
ginning to  loom  up;  the  Synod  began  to  show  a  little  rest- 
lessness under  the  situation,  as  appears  from  the  follow- 
ing resolution  which  it  adopted: 

Resolved,  "That  all  these  reports  on  Synodical  col- 
leges be  transmitted  to  the  presidents  of  the  respective 
colleges,  to  be  published  in  their  respective  catalogues,  if 
they  see  fit;"  thus  relieving  the  minutes  of  Synod  of  any 
further  burden  in  that  direction. 

Before  giving  the  final  disposition  of  these  institutions 
it  will  be  necessary  for  us  to  retrace  our  steps  a  little,  and 
go  back  to  the  year  1856,  when  another  claimant  appeared, 
for  the  patronage  of  the  Synod. 

ROME   FEMALE   COLLEGE. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia  at  Atlanta  No- 
vember, 1856,  an  overture  was  sent  up  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Cherokee  touching  the  establishment  of  a  Female 
College.     The  following  was  the  answer: 

"'The  Synod  having  considered  the  overture  of  Cher- 
okee Presbytery  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  a  Synod- 
ical Female  College  at  the  city  of  Rome,  decide  that  in 
their  opinion,  the  matter  is  one  of  vital  importance  to  the 
cause  of  religious  education,  and  do  by  the  following  Board 
of  Trustees,  take  incipient  measures  for  the  inauguration 
of  said  college;  it  being  understood  that  the  Synod  is  to  as- 
sume no  pecuniary  responsibility." 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     16.j 

Trustees  as  follows — Ministers:  A.  Y.  Lockridge,  W.  B 
Telford,  T.  C.  Crawford,  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  J.  F.  Lanneau, 
Geo.  W.  H.  Petrie;  Laymen:  W.  C.  Cothran,  N.  J.  Omberg, 
A.  M.  Sloan,  C.  H.  Smith,  C.  T.  Cunningham,  R.  C.  Word, 
J.  A.  Scott,  James  Sproul,  H.  V.  M.  Miller,  J.  Smith,  R.  J. 
Johnson,  Gabriel  Jones,  and  their  successors  in  office. 

"That  the  trustees  shall  report  annually  as  to  the  va- 
cancies which  may  be  filled;  that  their  appointment  of 
teachers  and  all  their  acts,  shall  be  subject  to  the  review 
and  control  of  Synod." 

We  have  already  mentioned  the  fact  that  the  Rev.  J 
M.  M.  Caldwell  had  a  high  school  for  females,  established 
at  Rome  in  1845.  Feeling  that  it  would  add  to  its  influence 
and  patronage  by  its  becoming  a  Synodical  school,  he  had 
tendered  it  to  the  Synod  to  be  taken  under  its  care  and 
nominal  ownership.  The  committee  to  whom  the  whole 
question  of  a  female  college  was  referred,  was  directed  to 
visit  the  school,  and  examine  it  and  report.  They  after- 
wards reported  as  follows: 

"On  yesteday  (Friday  19th),  your  committee  made  a 
Visit  to  the  Institution  where  they  were  politely  and  hos- 
pitably reecived  by  the  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  President, 
and  his  excellent  l^dy.  They  were  conducted  through  the 
rooms  of  the  college  edifice  and  were  shown  the  arrange- 
ments for  the  accommodation  of  both  instructors  and  pupils 
all  of  which  appear  in  good  taste,  and  well  adapted  to  the 
1  urpose  for  which  they  are  designed. 

After  a  careful  examination,  so  far  as  time  would  per- 
mit, of  the  premises,  study  and  recitation  rooms,  philoso- 
phical and  chemical  apparatus,  your  committee  beg  leave 
to  say  they  were  particularly  pleased  with  the  location  of 
the  Institution,  which  commands  a  wide  and  beautiful  pros- 
pect— with  the  system  and  order  pervading  the  establish- 
ment— the  politeness  and  intelligence  of  the  rriem'bers  of 
the  faculty  they  met  and  the  decorum  which  prevailed 
among  the  pupils  in  the  school  room.  It  is,  therefore,  the 
opinion  of  the  committee,  that  the  trustees  have  not  in  the 
least  exaggerated  in  their  statement  of  the  present  pros- 
perity and  prospective  usefulness  of  this  young  but  grow- 


166     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ing  institution.  Under  its  present  Directors,  it  promises 
to  contribute  largely  to  the  cause  of  female  education  in 
this  city  and  this  portion  of  the  State.  In  conclusion,  your 
committee  would  submit  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  "That  the  Synod  learn  with  pleasure,  the 
prosperous  condition  of  the  Rome  Female  College,  and 
with  increasing  confidence  recommend  it  to  the  patronage 
of  our  Church  and  the  public." 

The  Trustees  also  made  an  encouraging  report  of  the 
condition  and  prospects  of  the  Institution.  And  we  find  the 
Synod  again  expressing  its  gratification,  and  recommend- 
ing the  institution  to  the  patronage  of  the  church,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  following  action: 

"That  it  is  gratifying  to  find  that  the  youngest  of  the 
institutions  taken  under  our  Synodical  care  is  conducted 
with  admirable  vigor  and  success.  They  are  glad  to  admit, 
in  the  soundness  and  thoroughness  of  its  course  of  instruc- 
tion and  the  general  efficiency  of  its  management  there  is 
nothing  left  to  desire.  With  a  competent  and  devoted  Fac- 
ulty, buildings  handsomely  finished  and  furnished,  an  ex- 
cellent philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus,  and  other 
attractions  and  facilities,  we  believe  that  the  trustees  are 
fully  justified  in  "confidently  recommending  this  school  to 
the  cordial  support  of  all  friends  of  sound  learning,"  and 
in  their  belief,  "that  it  will  succeed  because  it  deserves 
success."  In  view  of  these  pleasing  facts,  the  committee 
believes  that  the  Synod  will  take  the  utmost  pleasure  in 
once  more  expressing  their  entire  confidence  in  this  excel- 
lent school,  and  in  endorsing  the  recommendation  of  it  by 
the  Board  of  trustees,  with  the  hope  that  the  meed  of  pat- 
ronage it  deserves  will  never  be  withheld." 

The  Synod  took  no  action  touching  the  Rome  School 
during  the  next  year,  except  to  appoint  Mr.  A.  G.  Pitner  as 
trustee  in  the  place  of  Rev.  J.  F.  Lanneau,  removed,  and 
reducing  the  number  of  a  quorum  from  seven  to  five. 

In  the  next  report  for  the  year  1860,  we  meet  with  the 
same  old  story  of  inde'btedness.  In  connection  with  the 
flattering   statement   about    the   progress   of  students   and 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     167 

otherwise  prosperous  state  of  the  College  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing in  the  report  of  the  committee: 

"We  learn  wit'h  pleasure,  that  txiere  has  been  such  a 
transference  of  the  property  of  the  institution  to  the  Rev. 
J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  its  president,  with  its  liabilities  as  ef- 
fectually secures  the  trustees  from  the  debts  which  they 
were  unable  to  pay,  and  which  crippled  the  college.  The 
property,  although  vested  in  private  hands  will  be  perpet- 
uated for  the  uses  and  purposes,  originally  designed." 

As  the  Synod  never  did  assume  any  financial  respon- 
sibility in  the  management  of  this  institution,  what  effect 
this  action  had  upcn  its  relation  to  the  Synod,  if  any,  we 
are  unable  to  say. 

For  the  year  1861,  we  find  the  meager  record,  "That 
the  report  of  the  committee  on  Rome  Female  College  was 
received  and  adopted."  What  that  report  was  we  have  no 
means  of  finding  out,  as  it  was  not  recorded;  as  it  was  at 
this  meeting,  that  the  resolution  was  passed,  turning  over 
these  reports  to  the  trustees  for  record. 

The  Synod,  now  having  three  institutions  on  its  hands, 
viz:  Greensboro,  *  (Note)  GrifRn  and  Rome,  which  if  not 
bankrupt,  were  badly  crippled  with  debt,  and  being  wearied 
with  the  sad  reports,  and  appeals  for  help,  coming  up  year 
by  year,  with  the  increasing  shadow  of  war  upon  the  coun- 
try and  no  prospect  of  immediate  relief,  felt  that  it  was 
/lecessary  that  something  should  be  done  to  relieve  itself 
of  the  embarrassment,  and  their  meeting  at  Macon  in  1862 
appointed  a  committee  on  female  colleges  to  consider  the 
whole  question  and  report  what  action  was  necessary.  The 
Committee  made  the  following  report,  through  their  chair- 
man. Rev.  J.  L.  Rogers,  Which  was  adopted: 

"The  committee  to   whom  was  referred  the  report  of 

*(Note)  In  1859  the  Pres'bytery  of  Hopewell  o"ertured 
the  Synod  that  it  would  turn  over  to  them  the  fiscal  man- 
agement of  the  Greensboro  school  that  prompt  measures 
might  be  taken  for  the  liquidation  of  its  debts  and  placing 
the  institution  upon  a  firm  basis.  This  was  done,  but  we 
see  no  further  mention  of  the  matter. 


168     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  Greensboro  Female  College,  together  with  the  general 
subject  of  our  Synodical  female  colleges,  beg  leave  to  re- 
port that  they  find  the  Greensboro  College  embarassed  by 
a  heavy  debt,  amounting  now  to  about  $8,000  and  with  no 
apparent  resources  to  meet  this  debt;  and  we  regret  to 
know  that  from  the  organization  of  the  college  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  this  embarrassment  has  been  f-elt,  and  from  time 
to  time  the  Synod  has  been  appealed  to  to  devise  some 
means  by  which  this  indebtedness  could  be  discharged, 
and  the  institution  placed  in  a  more  prosperous  condition; 
but  so  far  these  appeals  for  aid  have  been  fruitless  of  any 
good  results.  The  policy  of  the  Synod  appears  to  have 
been  to  extend  to  the  female  colleges  under  its  care  only 
a  nominal  moral  influence,  which  has  consisted  only  in 
hearing  their  annual  reports  and  appeals,  and  passing  as 
often  a  series  of  resolutions  recommending  them  to  the 
favor  of  the  people.  Your  committee  believe  that  unless 
the  Synod  is  prepared  to  go  farther  than  they  have  ever 
yet  done,  unless  they  are  willing  to  assume  pecuniary  ob- 
ligations, and  raise  the  funds  necessary  to  relieve  them 
from  their  pecuniary  embarrassment;  their  nominal  control 
is  a  positive  detriment  to  these  institutions.  There  being 
three  of  these  institutions  under  our  control,  your  com- 
mittee does  not  feel  authorized  to  make  any  recommenda- 
tion for  one,  which  may  not  apply  also  to  the  others.  And 
believing  that  the  Synod  would  not  feel  authorized  in  as- 
suming so  heavy  a  pecuniary  obligation  as  would  be  neces- 
sary to  place  them  all  upon  a  safe  and  prosperous  footing, 
we  therefore  believe  that  the  best  thing  that  we  could  do 
for  them  would  be  to  relinquish  the  nominal  control  that 
we  have  been  exercising  over  them,  and  commit  them  to 
the  hands  of  those  more  immediately  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare of  each — either  to  the  Presbyteries  within  whose 
^bounds  they  are  located  or  to  the  resident  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. We  would,  therefore,  submit  the  following  resolu- 
tion: 

Resolved,  "That  the  Synod  appoint  a  committee  of  six, 
who  shall  be  empowered  to  remit  the  entire  control  of 
these   institutions   to   the   local   Board  of  Trustees,   to   be 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     169 

controlled  by  them  or  transferred  to  the  Presbyteries  in 
whose  bounds  they  are  located,  as  they  may  deem  ad- 
visable. The  committee  to  consist  of  Revs.  Messrs.  J.  L. 
■Rogers,  E.  P.  Palmer,  William  M.  Cunningham,  J.  R.  Wil- 
son, D.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elders  Washington  Poe  and  G.  E. 
Thomas." 

We  now  come  to  the  final  action.  On  account  of  the 
condition  of  national  affairs,  the  country  being  in  the  midst 
of  the  war,  the  committee  did  nothing.  Hence  we  find  at 
the  next  meeting  of  Synod  (1863)  they  took  the  following 
action: 

Ruling  Elder  J.  H.  Lumpkin,  from  the  committee  to 
which  was  referred  the  relation  of  the  Synod  to  the  Fe- 
male collegese  of  Rome,  Griffin  and  Greensboro,  reported. 
The  Report  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

The  subject  of  the  three  female  colleges  at  Rome, 
Griffin,  and  Greensboro,  all  under  the  care  and  control  of 
this  body,  having  been  brought  before  the  Synod  at  Macon, 
that  some  action  might  be  had  in  reference  to  said  insti- 
tutions, a  report  with  the  following  resolutions  was  adopt- 
ed, to  wit:  "That  the  Synod  appoint  a  committee  of  six 
who  shall  be  empowered  to  remit  the  entire  control  of 
these  institutions  to  the  local  Board  of  trustees  to  be  con- 
trolled by  them,  or  transferred  to  the  Presbyteries  in 
whose  bounds  they  are  located,  as  they  may  deem  advis- 
able," and  it  appearing  that  no  action  had  been  taken  by 
said  committee,  it  is  recommended  that  the  Synod  adopt 
the  following  resolutions,  appropriate  to  each  of  sai(? 
schools,  according  to  their  respective  charters  and  cir 
cumstances: 

1.  That  this  Synod  relinquishes  all  rights  which  it  has 
or  may  be  supposed  to  have,  to  direct  and  control  the 
Rome  Female  College,  and  it  advises  that  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  be  passed  ratifying  this  proceeding  and  con- 
firming the  title  already  made  to  the  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Cald- 
well by  the  local  Board  of  Trustees. 

2.  It  is  inexpedient  to  take  any  action  in  regard  to  the 
Griffin  Female  College,  formerly  known  as  the  Griffin  Col- 
legiate  Seminary. 


170     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

3.  Finding  that  the  Gr-eensboro  Female  College  is 
largely  in  debt  of  which  debt  it  cannot  be  disencumbered 
except  by  sale;  and  that  Mr.  John  Cunningham,  the  prin- 
cipal creditor,  has  a  mortgage  oa  the  entire  property,  we 
deem  it  best  that  he  proceed  at  once  to  foreclose  said  mort- 
gage, and  bring  the  property  to  sale  in  open  market,  and 
after  discharging  all  the  debts  of  the  institution  from  the 
proceeds,  that  the  balance  of  the  funds,  if  any,  be  held  sub- 
ject to  the  future  order  of  the  Board  of  trustees.  And  in  the 
event  of  Mr.  Cunningham  declining  to  pursue  this  course, 
we  advise  that  the  property  be  sold  by  the  Trustees,  and 
after  paying  all  the  debts  of  the  institution  the  overplus, 
li  any,  be  held  as  above  named,  and  that  an  act  of  the 
Legislatur-e  be  immediately  obtained  to  authorize  such 
sale. 

At  any  event,  this  Synod  pledges  itself,  so  far  as  it  is 
concerned,  that  this  surplus  fund,  if  any,  be  solemnly 
pledged  to  the  Presbyterian  education  of  female  teachers 
and  pupils,  or,  in  failure  to  accomplish  this,  that  it  be 
restored  to  the  donors. 

At  th-e  next  meeting  of  Synod  at  Augusta  the  infor- 
mation was  communicated  that  the  Greensboro  College  was 
sold  in  virtue  of  a  permissive  act  of  the  Legislature  and 
that  the  purchaser,  Mr.  John  Cunningham,  transferred  the 
same  to  three  trustees,  consisting  of  Joseph  R.  Wilson,  D. 
D.,  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  and  Rev.  R.  A.  Houston  and 
their  successors  in  perpetuity,  to  be  conducted  as  a  Female 
Seminary.  And  it  was  so  used  till  1872,  when  it  was  acci- 
dentally burned. 

The  Building  of  the  Griffin  School  was  turned  over  to 
the  city  of  Griffin,  they  being  the  largest  contributor  in  its 
construction,  and  intended  by  them  to  be  used  as  a  city 
school.  It  was  used  as  a  hospital  during  the  war,  and  like 
its  twin  sister  at  Greensboro,  became  food  for  the  devour- 
ing flames.  Upon  the  site,  however,  a  commodious  edifice 
has  been  erected  by  the  city  for  a  public  school,  and  has 
been  used  ever  since. 

So    in   accordance   with    the   above   action,   the   Rome 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     171 

institution  was  turned  over  to  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  the 
original  and  real  owner. 

Thus  after  twelve  years  of  effort  (1849-1863)  and  varied 
results,  the  whole  scheme  of  female  education  n  Georgia 
fe.i  through  and  the  fields  abandoned  by  the  Synod.  That 
great  good  had  been  done,  however,  there  can  be  no  doubt. 
We  can  but  express  regret  that  a  beginning  which  prom- 
ised such  great  things  should  have  had  such  an  inglorious 
termination,  and  that  such  a  disaster  should  befall  the 
Synod  in  so  great  a  measure  through  sheer  mismanage- 
ment. The  war  may  be  pleaded  in  part  for  the  final  fail- 
ure, but  only  in  part,  as  the  institutions  were  all  three 
involved  financially  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  war. 
ROME    FEMALE    COLLEGE.     NO.    II. 

In  1884,  twenty  years  after  the  abandonment  of  the 
scheme  of  female  colleges,  we  find  the  Synod  again  under- 
taking the  work  of  establishing  such  an  institution. 

The  Greensboro  and  Griflan  schools  were  now  things 
of  the  past.  The  Rome  College  was  still  kept  up  by  its 
proprietor.  Rev.  J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  but  now  becoming 
advanced  in  years,  he  was  desirous  of  disposing  of  it. 
iSome  of  the  friends  of  education  in  the  Synod  felt  that  it 
ought  to  be  secured  as  a  Synodical  School.  At  the  meet- 
ing at  Marietta  (1884),  Dr.  Bunting,  at  that  time  pastor  of 
the  church,  read  the  following  paper: 

"Whereas,  this  Synod  recognizes  the  importance  of  a 
female  seminary  of  high  rank,  in  connection  with  which 
provision  is  made  by  adequate  endowments  to  meet  the 
expenses  of  the  board  and  tuition  of  daughters  of  indigent 
Presbyterian  ministers,  in  the  South,  either  partially  or 
fully,  as  circumstances  may  indicate;  and 

Whereas,  this  work  has  been  prosecuted  during  the 
last  eighteen  years,  by  a  member  of  this  Synod,  and  should 
be  enlarged  and  made  a  permanent  elem-tnt  in  the  aid  and 
relief  of  our  Southern  ministers  who  need  the  help  indi- 
cated;  therefore  it  is  hereby 

Resolved,  1.  That  to  secure  the  existence  and  perma- 
nency of  such  an  institution,  we  will  elect  Trustees 

to  devise  the  ways  and  means  of  its  establishment,  and 


172     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

that  of  their  number  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 

the  transaction  of  business. 

2.  That  the  Synod,  as  suc'h  shall  neither  assume  or 
have  any  pecuniary  responsibility,  or  exercise  any  con- 
trol over  the  institution  except  in  the  election  of  its  trus- 
tees now  and  in  the  future,  together  with  the  reception 
and  review  of  their  annual  reports. 

3.  That  other  Synods  may  be  invited  and  urged  to 
unite  with  this  body  in  this  great  work  by  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

4.  That  the  proposed  institution  shall  be  located  in 
Rome,  on  the  basis  of  the  Rome  Female  College,  and  shall 
be  opened  for  the  reception  of  pupils  at  such  time  and 
with  such  an  organization  as  the  Trustees  may  determine. 
The  name  of  the  institution  may  be  changed  by  the  Trus- 
tees. 

After  the  reading  of  this  paper,  he  offered  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  composed  of  ten  gentle- 
men, two  from  each  Presbytery,  be  now  appointed  to  visit 
Rome,  to  enquire  into  the  propriety  and  wisdom  of  estab- 
lishing, on  the  basis  of  the  Rome  Female  College,  such  an 
institution  as  indicated  in  the  paper  just  read,  and  that 
the  committee  consist  of  the  following  gentlemen  or  their 
alternates : 

Presbytery  of  Augusta — Rev.  W.  Adams  and  W.  C. 
Sibley;  Presbytery  of  Athens — Rev.  T.  P.  Cleveland,  J,  B. 
Estes;  Presbytery  of  Atlanta — ^^Rev.  J.  L.  Rogers,  Rev.  E. 
H.  Barnett;  Presbytery  of  Macon — Rev.  A.  W.  Clisby,  H. 
H.  Jones;  Presbytery  of  Cherokee — Rev.  J.  E.  Jones,  W.  K. 
Moore. 

This  committee  made  the  following  report,  at  the  next 
meeting  at  Lagrange,  and  which  was  adopted: 

"The  committee  appointed  to  visit  Rome  for  the  pur- 
pose of  enquiring  into  the  propriety  and  wisdom  of  estab- 
lishing, on  the  basis  of  the  Rome  Female  College,  such  an 
institution  as  indicated  in  the  paper  presented  to  Synod  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Bunting,  and  published  in  the  appendix  of  the 
Minutes,  respectfully  report.; 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     173 

That  they  met  at  Rome  October  20th,  1885,  and  after 
prolonged  inquiry  into  the  whole  matter,  they  cordially 
and  unanimously  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  scheme 
proposed  in  Dr.  Bunting's  paper,  to-wit:  The  appointment 
of  eighteen  Trustees  who,  if  the  way  be  clear,  shall  pur- 
chase, or  otherwise  secure  the  said  property,  and  estab- 
lish a  female  college  for  the  education  of  the  daug'hters  of 
Presbyterian  ministers  and  others,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Synod,  together  with  that  of  any  other  Synod  or  Syn- 
ods of  our  church,  desiring  to  co-operate  with  us  in  this 
important  enterprise." 

Under  this  resolution  the  following  were  appointed 
Trustees:  Rev.  G.  B.  Strickler,  D.  D.,  Atlanta;  Rev.  G.  T. 
Goetchius,  Rome;  Mr.  Samuel  Inman,  Dr.  J.  W.  Rankin. 
Atlanta;  Mr.  John  Peabody,  Columbus;  Dr.  P.  R.  Cortel- 
you,  Marietta;  Rev.  J.  E.  Jones,  Cedartown;  Gen.  Jno.  B. 
Gordon,  Decatur;  Mr.  J.  W.  Harle,  Atlanta;  Mr.  R.  G 
Clarke,  Dr.  John  Kincaid,  Messrs.  J.  W.  Bones,  S.  G. 
Hardy,  H.  C.  Norton,  John  C.  Printup,  B.  I.  Hughes,  Prof. 
S.  C.  Caldwell,  Rome;  W.  K.  Moore,  Dalton. 

This  Board  reported,  through  Dr.  Strickler,  its  chair- 
man, to  the  next  Synod,  which  met  at  Sparta  in  1886,  that 
in  consequence  of  the  financial  pressure,  it  was  found  im- 
possible to  raise  the  necessary  funds  for  the  purchase  of 
the  Seminary.  But  being  profoundly  impressed  with  the 
need  of  such  an  institution  in  the  bounds  of  the  Synod, 
L>.ey  recommend  that  the  Synod  assume  tne  moral  control 
of  the  institution  as  it  now  exists,  and  under  its  present 
management,  giving  it  that  support  which  will  tend  to 
elevate  it  to  even  a  higher  degree  of  usefulness,  and  which 
will  commend  it  to  the  confidence  and  patronage  of  Pres- 
byterians in  this  and  other  Synods.  The  Synod  adopted 
the  recommendation  and  proceeded  to  the  election  of  the 
necessary  Trustees,  according  to  previous  arrangement. 

The  Synod  met  at  Rome,  November  188  7.  The  Trus- 
tees reported  the  school  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Thev 
also  stated  that  Rev.  Mr.  Caldwell  had  made  an  offer  of 
sale  of  the  property  for  the  sura  of  ^16,000.  The  privilege 
of  the  floor  was  extended  to  citizens  of  Rome  who  were 


174     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

interested  in  tlie  purchase  of  tlie  property.  After  a  discus- 
sion of  tlie  wliole  matter  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  Synod  having  heard  with  pleasure  th3 
letter  addressed  by  a  prominent  citizen  of  Rome  to  th-* 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Rome  Female 
College,  do  now  propose  to  the  Trustees  of  said  college 
to  endeavor  to  raise  $25,000,  or  more  for  the  institution, 
so  soon  as  the  citizens  of  Rome  shall  purchase  said  prop- 
erty and  be  prepared  to  deliver  proper  titles  of  the  same 
to  the  said  Trustees,  the  title  to  said  property  not  to  be 
conveyed,  nor  vested  in  said  Trustees  until  the  $25,000  or 
more  shall  have  been  raised  by  them.  The  Synod  prom- 
ises hereby  its  moral  support  and  encouragement  to  the 
Board  in  their  endeavor  to  secure  the  endowment  or  fund 
proposed." 

This  is  the  last  record  on  the  subject.  The  effort  to 
raise  the  necessary  amount  was  a  failure.  Further  con- 
sideration of  the  matter  was  dropped.  Mr.  Caldwell  after- 
wards otherwise  disposed  of  his  property.  Thus  ended 
the  second  chapter  in  the  history  of  Presbyterian  female 
colleges  in  the  State. 

AGNES    SCOTT    COLLEGE. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  turn  away  from  these  igno- 
minious failures  to  a  grand  success  in  the  line  of  female 
education  in  the  bounds  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia.  We 
allude  to  the  female  institution  located  at  Decatur,  Ga,  first 
known  as  the  Decatur  Female  Seminary,  but  now  the 
Agnes  Scott  College. 

The  latter  part  oi  December,  1888,  the  Rev.  F.  H. 
Gaines  arrived  in  Decatur  to  assume  the  duties  of  the 
pastorate  of  the  Decatur  Presbyterian  Church.  He  found 
a  congregation  of  people,  intelligent,  devoted,  capable, 
responsive.  Being  a  firm  believer  in  Christian  education 
and  seeing  no  school  in  the  place  adequate  to  the  wants 
of  the  community,  and  furthermore,  that  it  was  a  suitable 
location  for  an  institution  of  that  character,  he  began  early 
in  the  summer  of  the  next  year  to  consider  and  suggest  to 
his  people  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  high  school  for 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH   IN  GEORGIA     175 

girls  under  the  auspices  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
proposition  met  with  a  hearty  response.  At  a  meeting 
of  tlie  Session,  after  a  full  discussion,  where  the  matter 
was  fully  considered,  Col.  G.  W.  Scott,  a  member,  intro- 
duced  the  following  resolution,   which   was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  we  determine  to  establish  at  once  a 
school  of  high  character."  . 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  determined  to  apply  for  a 
charter  for  a  minimum  stock  of  $5,000,  which  was  imme- 
diately subscribed.  Col.  Scott  being  one  of  the  largest 
subscribers.  This  amount  was  afterwards  mcreased  to 
$25,000.  The  chartered  name  of  the  instituLion  was  to  be 
"The  Decatur  Female  Seminary." 

Col.  Scott  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee  to 
secure  a  suitable  building,  and  rented  a  frame  building 
suitable  for  the  purpose.  The  school  opened  Se'Jt.  24, 
1889,  with  sixty  pupils,  three  being  boarders. 

In  the  spring  of  1890,  Col.  Scott  proposed  to  give 
$40,000  to  procure  a  permanent  home  for  the  institution. 
In  recognition  of  his  generosity  the  name  was  changed  to 
Agnes  Scott  Institute,  a  memoral  to  his  mother.  Col. 
Scott  then  went  North  to  investigate  school  buildings  and 
upon  his  return  proceeded  to  have  his  architects  draw  the 
plans  and  proceeded  with  the  erection  of  the  building.  On 
this  building,  grounds  and  furnishings.  Col.  Scott  paid  in 
cash,  $112,500.  It  was  dedicated  in  the  presence  of  the 
Synod  of  Georgia  at  their  ineeting  at  Decatur,  Nov.  12,  1891. 

Owing  to  the  high  standard  of  the  institution,  and  the 
high  plane  upon  which  it  is  conducted,  for  many  years  it 
did  not  pay  expenses.  In  every  emergency  Col.  Scott  has 
come  to  its  relief,  having  paid  out  $30,000  in  deficiencies. 

The  institution  has  steadily  grown  in  its  curriculum, 
its  faculty,  its  attendance,  and  its  educational  facilities, 
until  now  it  is  Agnes  Scott  College,  in  reality,  as  in  its 
chartered  name  which  has  been  so  changed. 

The  grounds  have  been  enlarged,  and  a  new  building, 
making  nine  in  all,  has  recently  been  put  up  (1906)  for 
a  dormitory,  with  a  commodious  auditorium  attached, 
named  Rebecca  Scott,  after  the  wife  of  the  late  Col.  Scott, 


176     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

at  a  cost  of  $80,000,  to  which  his  family  contributed  very 
largely.  The  aggregated  gifts  of  Col.  Scott  to  the  institu- 
tion amount  to  $170,000.  The  present  value  of  the  plant 
and  equipments  is  approximately  $300,000. 

At  first  the  institution  was  a  joint  stock  corporation, 
in  which  the  Session  of  the  Decatur  Church  was  always 
to  have  a  controlling  interest,  but  for  some  time  the  joint 
stock  feature  has  boen  abolished,  and  now  the  institution 
has  been  donated  to  a  self  perpetuating  Board  of  Trus- 
tees. According  to  the  terms  or  the  Charter  no  one  can 
be  a  member  of  that  board  unless  he  be  a  member  in  good 
standing  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  Rev.  F.  H.  Gaines,  D.  D., 
was  president  of  the  institution  in  connection  with  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Church,  but  the  duties  becoming  so  onerous 
he  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the  Church  in  1896,  and 
ever  since  has  been  its  President. 

The  Agnes  Scott  is  emphatically  a  Christian  school, 
the  Bible  being  one  of  its  leading  text  books.  Upon  its 
Curriculum  is  inscribed  as  its  aim:  "The  Supreme  End  of 
Agnes  Scott  Institute  is  the  Glory  of  God."  And  this  its 
ideal  as  set  forth  in  its  Curriculum: 

1.  A  liberal  curriculum,  fully  abreast  of  the  best 
institutions  of  the  land.  * 

2.  A  sound  curriculum,  with  text  books  along  all 
lines  in  harmony  with  the  Bible. 

3.  The  Bible  a  text  book.  The  Bible  course  neces- 
sary to  graduation. 

4.  Thoroughly  trained  and  consecrated  teachers. 

5.  A  high  standard  of  scholarship. 

6.  The  Institute  a  model  Christian  home, 

7.  All  the  influences  in  the  school  to  be  made  condu- 
cive to  the  formation  and  development  of  Christian  char- 
acter. 


CHAPTER  X. 


PRESBYTERIAL  HIGH  SCHOOLS. 

The  Synod,  at  its  meeting  at  Cartersville,  in  1892, 
"Urg€d  the  Presbyteries  to  more  earnest  efforts  towards 
the  equipment  of  schools  under  denominational  control, 
and  that  they  might  have  schools  of  pronounced  Christian 
influence  for  their  sons  and  daughters,"  P.  14.  Several  of 
these  schools  were  accordingly  set  up. 

DONALD  FRASER  HIGH  SCHOOL. 

The  first  of  these  was  the  Donald  Eraser  High  School, 
which  was  established  in  Decatur  in  the  same  year  by  the 
Presbyterian  church  in 'that  place  and  named  after  a  form- 
er pastor,  who  died  in  1887.  The  Institution  waS  placed  in 
the  hands  of  a  Board  of  Trustees  of  which  the  pastor  was 
an  ex-officio  member. 

In  1896,  a  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  Synod  in- 
quiring into  the  feasibility  of  utilizing  the  remnants  of  the 
funds  of  the  old  Oglethorpe  College  in  establishing  a  High 
School  for  boys.  After  a  futile  effort  to  establish  such  i 
school  at  Rome,  the  Synod,  in  1899,  agreed  to  place  said 
remnant,  amunting  to  $"8,115.60  (in  1898),  in  the  hands  of 
the  Trustees  of  Donald  Eraser  School. 

The  following  is  the  action: 

"Whereas,  Oglethorpe  has  not  been  in  successful  op- 
eration for  more  than  twenty-five  years,  its  property  and 
funds  have  almost  been  entirely  lost,  and  there  is  little 
reason  to  expect  that  it  will  ever  be  reorganized;  and 
whereas,  it  is  the  desire  of  Synod  that  its  remaining  prop- 
erty and  funds  be  used  as  nearly  in  the  direction  contem- 
plated by  its  founders  as  possible,  i.  e.,  the  moral  and 
Christian  education  of  boys  under  Presbyterian  care;  and 
whereas,  the  Donald  Eraser  Hig'h  School  for  boys,  located 
at  Decatur,  in  Dekalb  county,  Georgia,  has  been  duly  in- 
corporated, is  under  Presbyterian  control,  and  is  now  in 
successful  operation,    with   a   subscribed   capital   stock   of 


178     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

more  than  eight  thousand  dollars,  and  a  property  approxi- 
mating that  value;  therefore: 

Be  it  resolved,  That  the  consent  and  authority  of 
Synod  is  given  to  the  Trustees  of  Oglethorpe  University  to 
invest  in  the  stock  of  the  Donald  Eraser  High  School  lo- 
cated at  Decatur,  Georgia,  the  remaining  fund  of  the  Uni- 
versity, now  in  their  hands,  and  to  take  therefor  certificate 
of  stock  in  the  corporate  name  of  the  University,  and  that 
the  remaining  portions  of  the  apparatus,  library,  etc.,  be 
put  in  the  custody  and  care  of  the  school;  provided,  said 
investment  be  not  made  until  the  charter  of  "The  Donald 
High  School  for  Boys"  shall  have  been  so  amended  as  to 
give  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia  the  appointment  of  two  of 
the  three  trustees,  the  election  of  whom  by  said  charter 
is  in  the  stckholders  of  said  school."    Min.  Synod.  1898.  26. 

The  charter  was  accordingly  afterwards  amended  and 
under  its  terms  Synod  elected  Rev.  Messrs.  Geo.  T.  Goet- 
Ghius  and  R.  O.  Flinn  trustees,  the  number  of  the  trustees 
being  six;  two  chosen  by  the  Decatur  church,  two  by  the 
Synod,  and  two  by  the  stockholders. 

The  school  has  been  largely  patronized,  it  has  a  high 
standard  and  is  doing  a  noble  work,  especially  in  training 
and  preparing  boys  for  entering  college.  A  military  depart- 
ment has  recently  been  added. 

EUHARLEE  INSTITUTE. 

The  next  Denomnational  School  set  up  was  that  at  Eu- 
harlee,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee,  in  1896.  This  school 
has   been   growing   in   interest   and     rapidly     becoming  a 
centre  of  influence  and  usefulness.     It  is  co-educational. 
BLACKSHEAR  INSTITUTE. 

This  Institute  was  established  by  Savannah  Presbytery 
in  1900.  The  Presbytery  feeling  the  importance  of  having 
an  institution  of  high  grade  for  the  education  of  the  boys 
and  girls  of  the  land,  appointed  a  board  of  trustees  to  work 
to  the  end  of  establishing  such  a  school  that  would  "best 
carry  out  the  idea  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  furnish 
an  ideal  blending  of  secular  and  Christian  education."  Al- 
though flattering  offers  were  received  from  other  places, 
Blackshear  was  selected  as  the  place  for  the  Presbyteridi 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     179 

Institute.  Although  its  conception  and  management  ar'3 
strictly  Presbyterian,  it  is  entirely  undenominational  in 
fts  policy,  iL  being  one  of  the  rules  of  the  school  that  "no 
proselytism  shall  go  on  within  its  walls."  The  Bible  is  one 
of  its  text  books,  and  its  simple  truths  are  taught  without 
any  denominational  bias. 

They  have  suitable  buildings  containing  class  rooms, 
library,  with  electric  lights  and  heat,  and  with  convenient 
auditorium,  the  whole  valued  at  $40,000.  They  also  have  a 
military  department  in  connection  with  the  school. 

According  to  tihe  last  report  there  were  in  attendance 
125  pupils,  taught  by  a  faculty  of  ten. 

Not  only  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah  but  all  the  Pres- 
byterians in  the  eastern  and  southern  portion  of  the  State 
look  with  commendable  pride  upon  the  Institution.  In  1906 
the  Synod  that  met  at  Waycross,  adjourned  and  in  a  body 
visited  the  Institution. 

NACO'OCHEE  INSTITUTE. 

This  Institution  is  also  co-educational,  and  was  estab- 
lished by  the  Presbytery  of  Athens  in  1903.  It  is  located 
in  the  beautiful  and  picturesque  valley  of  Nacoochee,  some 
eleven  miles  from  Clarkesville,  and  growing  in  impor- 
tance. It  has  a  plant  valued  at  $12,000,  and,  during  the 
past  year,  had  6  teachers,  and  150  pupils.  It  is  receiving 
additional  importance  from  the  fact  that  it  is  the  place 
where  the  annual  Bible  School  and  Conference  of  the  Pres- 
bytery is  held. 

ROCHELLE  SCHOOL. 

During  the  Fall  of  the  same  year,  the  Presbytery  of 
Macon  set  up  this  sc/hool  for  the  intellectual,  moral  and 
religious  training  of  her  young  people,  being  like  the 
others,  co-educational.  For  some  reason  this  school  has 
been  discontinued. 

YOUNG  FEMALE  COLLEGE. 

Macon  Presbytery  also  has  under  its  care  the  Young 
Female  College,  located  at  Thom'asville.  This  Institution 
is  the  property  of  the  city  of  Thomasville,  and  was  for 
thirty  years  under  the  management  of  Professor  John  Bak- 
er, but  after  .his  retirement  and  death,  it  w^as,  in  1903,  put 


180     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

under  the  care  and  management  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ma- 
con, upon  the  condition  that  its  name  be  retained, 
and  that  it  be  exclusively  for  young  ladies,  and  that  it  be 
maintained  in  Thomas  county.  It  has  six  teachers.  The 
value  of  the  endowment  is  $20,000. 

From  the  above  it  is  obvious  that  there  has  been  con- 
siderable progress  in  the  bounds  of  the  Synod  in  the  mat- 
ter of  Christian  education,  there  being  schools  in  all  of  the 
Presbyteries  except  that  of  Augusta.  We  can  but  indulge 
the  hope  that  it  will  not  be  long  ere  that  Presbytery  will 
also  have  an  Institution  of  its  own. 


•THE   BIG  POPLAR" 

at  Washington,   Ga.,   under   which   the   first   Presbytery   in  Georgia 

met  and  ordained  the  first  Presbyterian  Minister, 

Rev.  John  Springer. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


DRAWBACKS— WAR  AND   CONTROVERSY. 
WAR  PERIOD. 

That  th-e  war  had  a  most  deleterious  influence  upon 
the  churches,  "Goes  without  saying."  That  was  a  true,  but 
very  rough  speech  of  G-eneral  Sherman,  when  he  said, 
"War  is  h€ll."  Rough  as  the  definition  may  seem  truth 
forbids  any  softening  of  its  tone.  Nothing  more  harden- 
ing, nothing  more  brutalizing  or  generally  more  demoral- 
izing. Whilst  the  powers  of  darkness  were,  therefore, 
holding  their  high  carnival,  in  the  midst  of  human  butch- 
ery and  general  vandalism,  we  could  not  expect  the  church 
to  be  making  much  progress.  The  hearts  and  minds  of 
every  one  would  be  drawn  away  to  the  terrible  struggle 
going  on,  in  which  the  lives  of  loved  ones  as  well  as  the 
fate  of  the  country,  were  involved. 

Services  were  frequently  interrupted  by  the  march 
of  moving  armies  and  many  of  the  pastors  away  serving  as 
chaplains  in  the  army.  Theological  students  were  required 
to  leave  off  their  studies  and  enter  the  army  as  soldiers. 
We  know  of  none  of  the  ministers  of  the  Synod  who  en- 
tered the  army  as  Captains.  The  only  minister  of  our 
acquaintance,  who  commanded  a  company  was  the  Rev. 
F.  McMurray,  who  had  been  pastor  at  LaGrange  but  who 
had  removed  to  Union  Springs,  Alabama,  and  who  entered 
the  army  as  Captain,  not  only  from  patriotic  motives,  but 
especially  to  be  with  the  members  of  his  church,  who  had 
entered  the  company  of  which  he  was  made  Captain. 

As  the  struggle  progressed,  and  the  country  began  to 
be  overrun  by  the  enemy,  the  principal  activity  of  the 
church  was  directed  towards  the  work  among  the  soldiers 
and  support  of  army  missionaries  and  hospital  chaplains 
appointed  and  supported  by  the  executive  committee  of 
the  church. 

As  the  state  of  Georgia,  during  the  latter  part  of  the 


182     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

war,  became  one  of  the  principal  fields  of  carnage,  the 
interruptions  increased.  The  churches  were  generally- 
used  as  hospitals.  The  bells  in  some  places,  the  property 
of  the  Lord,  consecrated  to  His  service,  were  taken  down 
and  given  the  Government  to  be  moulded  into  cannon  with 
which  to  shoot  the  invaders  of  the  soil.  The  Sabbath  was 
utterly  disregarded. 

So  the  Soldier's  prayer  meeting,  maintained  at  a  few 
places  during  the  entire  war,  were  broken  up  in  a  major- 
ity of  instances. 

Briefly  stated  the  results  were  twofold: 

1st.  The  almost  complete  estoppel  of  all  church  pro- 
gress as  statistics  will  show.  We  find  that  the  church 
made  little  or  no  progress  during  the  four  years  of  strife. 
In  1869  we  had  sixty  nine  ministers,  one  hundred  and  six 
churches  and  6,274  members.  In  1866,  five  years  after- 
wards, 70  ministers,  117  churches  and  6279  members,  i 
gain  of  only  one  minister,  eleven  churches  and  five  mem- 
bers. 

2nd.  Second  result:  the  treading  down  of  the  Sab- 
bath. The  descent  to  Avernus  is  quite  easy.  It  is  difficult 
to  dispossess  the  camel  of  his  supposed  rights,  after  once 
his  nose  is  in  the  tent.  At  first  freight  and  other  trains 
were  run  on  the  Sabbath  upon  the  plea  of  necessity,  which 
plea  strangely,  however,  seems  still  to  exist,  though  the 
war  has  long  since  ceased. 

CONTROVERSY. 

Another  thing  which  has  greatly  militated  against  the 
progress  of  the  church,  were  the  disputations  and  con- 
troversies, which  at  different  times  sprang  up  to  disturb 
its  peace  and  waste  its  strength,  and  of  which  we  now  pro 
ceed  to  speak. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


CONTROVERSY. 

Ever  since  the  days  of  Paul  and  BarnalDas,  and  the 
early  Christians  the  world  has  been  given  to  disputings 
and  divisions.  It  is  only  in  this  way,  it  seems,  that  Bible 
dostrines  have  been  evolved  and  kept  pure.  The  truth, 
like  the  torch,  only  shines  brighter  as  it  is  shaken.  It  is 
only  by  the  comparison  of  views  that  we  are  able  to  ar- 
rive at  safe  and  wise  conclusions.  The  result  of  the  great 
ecumenical  councils  of  old,  have  been  the  settling  of  many 
of  the  great  doctrines  of  the  Bible  wisely  and  forever.  And 
Presbyterians  have  had  their  full  share  in  church  disputes; 
and  in  this  they  have  inherited  much  of  the  spirit  of  their 
Scottish  ancestors,  and  even  of  Apostolic  times,  in  thus 
earnestly  "contending  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints." 

Among  the  controversies  that  have  disturbed  the 
peace  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  none  perhaps  will  out- 
rank the  great  controversy  of  1837  and  1838  which  shook 
the  whole  church  North  and  South,  and  resulted  in  the 
division  into  Old  and  New  School.  Its  history  is  generallv 
familiar.  It  grew  out  of  the  plan  of  union  entered  into 
between  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  in  the  year 
1800,  whereby  the  ministers  and  churches  of  the  two  de- 
nominations could  interchangeably  constitute  the  pastoral 
relation,  and  also  whereby  Congregational  ministers  could 
S'it  in  Presbyterian  assemblies  and  Presbyterian  ministers 
would  likewise  be  entitled  to  seats  in  Congregational  as- 
sociations. This  union  continued  till  1837,  when  it  was 
abrogated,  not  being  found  satisfactory,  the  manner  of 
the  abrogation  being  simply  the  cutting  off  the  four  Syn- 
ods of  Western  Reserve,  Utica,  Geneva,  and  Gennessee, 
in  which  the  union  was  in  actual  operation,  by  declaring 
t'lip  original  action  unconstitutional  and  therefore  null  and 
void.  As  this  action  was  considered  by  many  as  equally 
unconstitutional,  it  was   the  means  of  stirring  up  a  great 


184     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

d€al  of  dissension  and  strife,  and  resulting  in  the  great 
division  above  mentioned.  There  yet  being  no  Synod 
formed  in  Georgia,  only  three  Presbyteries  being  yet  con- 
stituted, viz:  Hopewell,  Georgia  and  Flint  River,  this  ac- 
tion came  up  severally  before  them  for  review.  Two  of 
these  Presbyteries,  viz:  Georgia  and  Flint  River  heartily 
and  unanimously  approved  the  act  of  the  Assembly.  In 
the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  however,  were  several  who 
were  displeased  with  the  rescinding  act  of  the  Assembly, 
if  not  in  actual  sympathy  with  some  of  the  New  School 
doctrines.  These  withdrew  and  in  1839  formed  themselves 
into  an  independent  Presbytery,  which  they  termed  "Eto- 
wah." 

PRESBYTERY   OF  ETOWAH. 
We  find  the  following  record  in  the  minutes  of  Hope- 
well Presbytery  at  its  sessions  at    Lincolnton,    April  10, 
1840: 

"Whereas,  It  is  known  to  this  Presbytery  that  three 
of  its  ministers,  viz:  Chas.  W.  Howard,  Jas,  H.  George 
and  H.  C.  Carter,  have  united  in  forming  a  separate  and 
independent  Presbytery,  and  have  published  their  declara 
tion  of  independence  to  the  world; 

"Resolved,  That  the  names  of  these  brethren  be 
erased  from  the  roll  of  members  of  the  Presbytery. 

"And  whereas,  It  is  also  known  to  the  Presbytery 
that  the  Rev.  Theodore  M.  Dwight,  who  has  been  some 
time  in  Burke  county,  the  Stated  supply  to  Waynesboro 
church,  has  with  this  church  renounced  his  connection 
with  this  Presbytery,  his  name  also  and  the  name  of  said 
church  be  erased  from  the  roll." 

As  we  have  never  seen  the  records  of  this  body  we 
are  unable  to  report  much  of  its  proceedings,  or  to  say 
with  any  degree  of  certainity  what  churches  went  with 
them,  except  Harmony  and  Hickory  Flat. 

From  other  sources  we  learn  that  subsequently  to 
their  own  organization  they  organized  a  church  in  Pick- 
ens county  named  Little  Britian,  now  known  as  "Talking 
Rock,"  that  they  received  Rev.  Joseph  McKee  from  th« 
Protestant  Methodist  Church;  and  licensed  Mr.  Jesse  Wim- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     185 

pey,  a  Tennessean  and  teacher,  and  father  of  Mr.  John  J 
Wimpey,  of  Atlanta,  recently  deceased;  also  licensed  Rich- 
ard A.  Milner,  afterwards  one  of  the  original  members  of 
the  Synod  of  Georgia,  and  father  of  the  Rev.  W.  A.  Milner. 

It  appears  that  the  Presbytery  never  connected  itself 
with  the  New  School  Assembly  but  remained  independent. 
Neither  did  it  continue  but  a  few  years  before  it  began  to 
disintegrate,  as  Rev.  H.  C.  Carter  returned  to  Hopewell 
Presbytery,  Nov.,  18,  1842.  Harmony  Church,  which  had 
;l>een  organized  by  him  in  1838  and  withdrew  with  him 
from  the  Presbytery,  had  already  returned  and  was  re- 
ceived by  that  Presbytery  only  two  months  before.  So 
Salem  Church  organized  by  him  in  1840  and  under  care  of 
Etowah  Presbytery  returned  in  1842.  Their  Licentiate,  R. 
A.  Milner,  was  received  by  Cherokee  Presbytery  and  or- 
dained by  them  in  1844,  the  first  year  of  their  existence. 
Rev.  James  H.  George  entered  the  Episcopal  Church,  after 
a  few  years,  and  died  at  Marietta  in  18 — .  Messrs.  Wimp«y 
joined  the  New  School  Presbytery  of  Kingston,  and  Mc- 
Kee  that  of  Union,  and  afterwards  both  became  charter 
members  of  the  New  School  Presbytery  of  Chattahoochee, 
set  up  in  1844,  and  into  which  the  remnant  of  Etowah  Preg- 
bytery  was  merged.  Rev.  C.  W.  Howard  remained  inde- 
pendent till  his  death,  which  occurred  at  his  home  at  EU- 
erslee  Dec.  25,  1876.  Rev.  T.  M.  Dwight,  though  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  New  School  movement,  never  connected 
himself  with  it  while  in  Georgia,  but  removed  to  Tennes- 
see, and  became  a  member  of  the  New  School  Presbytery 
of  Shiloh  in  1846,  and  pastor  of  the  New  School  church  at 
Gallatin  for  three  years,  1846 — 9,  and  there  he  died. 

The  Waynesboro  Church,  of  which  mention  is  made 
above,  and  as  having  gone  off  with  Mr.  Dwight,  in  1840, 
remained  independent  until  1853,  when  it  was  again  re 
ceived  under  the  care  of  Hopewell  Presbytery  under  the 
style  of  the  "Waynesboro  and  Bath  Church." 

It  may  here  be  proper  to  state,  that  there  were  others 
of  the  ministers  of  the  Synod,  and  prominent  among  them, 
Rev.  C.  P.  Beman,  who  w^ere  more  or  less  in  sympathy 
with  the  New  School  movement,  but  who  being  opposed  to 


186     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

schism,  refused  to  go  off  with  the  new  movement. 

Having  mentioned  the  name  of  Dr.  Beman  in  this  con- 
nection, it  is  but  due  his  memory  to  state  that  in  later  life 
his  views  were  in  hearty  accord  with  the  principles  and 
teachings  of  the  Old  School  branch  of  the  church  in  which 
he  remained  an  honored  and  useful  member  till  his  death. 

His  brother,  Dr.  N.  S.  S.  Beman,  however,  returned 
North  and  joined  the  New  School  Church,  iDeing  a  member 
of  the  Presbytery  of  Troy,  and  became  a  prominent  mem- 
ber till  his  death  in  1878.  He  was  Moderator  of  the  Old 
Assembly  before  the  division,  in  1831,  but  afterwards  sided 
with  the  New  School  Branch  and  became  their  leader  In 
the  division. 

We  here  give  brief  sketches  of  four  ministers: 

REV.  CHAS.  W.  HOWARD  was  a  native  of  Savannah, 
born  October  11th,  1811,  and  received  as  a  licentiate  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  April  3,  1834.  Ordained 
at  the  same  time  at  Milledeville  as  pastor  of  said  church; 
afterwards  resigning  his  pastorate  to  become  agent  for 
Oglethorpe  University.  He  was  a  leading  spirit  in  the  es- 
tablishing of  said  institution,  gathering  a  great  deal  of  its 
funds  and  suggesting  the  names  and  afterwards  became 
professor  of  Belle  Lettres.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy 
and  force  of  character.  On  April  5,  1836,  he  was  com- 
missioned by  the  state  of  Georgia  to  visit  England  for  th? 
purpose  of  copying  some  of  the  early  Colonial  Records,  and 
was  absent  two  years.  He  was  afterwards  pastor  of  the 
Huguenot  Church  in  Charleston  for  a  number  of  years  from 
1845  to  1852.  Being  a  very  ardent  friend  of  the  South, 
during  the  late  war,  he  entered  the  Confederate  service 
as  captain  of  Co.  I,  63d  Georgia  Regiment,  and  was  wound- 
ed in  battle  July  22,  1864,  between  Atlanta  and  Decatur, 
and  died  at  his  home  at  Ellerslie  Dec.  25,  1876,  in  the 
66th  year  of  his  age. 

REV.  JAMES  H.  GEORGE,  was  received  as  a  candi- 
date from  the  membership  of  Athens  Church,  Nov.  4,  1833; 
licensed  and  ordained,  and  installed  pastor  of  Monticello 
Church  in  1836  by  Hopewell  Presbytery;  withdrew  in  1840 
and  joined  Presbytery  of  Etowah  and  afterwards  entered 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  iGEORGIA     187 

the  ministry  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  died  at  Mariet- 
ta 18— 

REV.  H.  C.  CARTER,  one  of  the  five  students  of  Dr. 
Goulding,  at  Lexington,  and  one  of  the  first  graduates  of 
Columbia  Seminary,  was  received  as  a  candidate  of  Hope- 
well Presbytery,  April  4,  1826,  licensed  by  same  April  6, 
1829.  Ordained  Oct.  9,  1830.  Served  as  a  home  Mission- 
ary for  a  number  of  years  in  Upper  Georgia  and  was  in- 
strumental in  gathering  up  and  organizing  quite  a  number 
of  Churches.     He  died  near  Calhoun,  Ga.,  Dec.  30,  1869. 

REV.  THEODORE  M.  DWIGHT,  was  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, and  graduate  of  Franklin  College  and  of  Colum- 
bia Seminary  in  1832.  Licensed  by  Hopewell  Presbytery 
in  1833,  and  ordained  by  the  same  1834;  withdrew  from  the 
Presbytery  in  1840;  removed  to  Tennessee  and  joined  the 
New  School  Presbytery  of  Shiloh,  and  became  pastor  of 
the  New  School  Church  at  Gallatin,  1846—1849,  where  he 
died. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  ETOWAH 

(Independent) 

Set  Up  In  1839. 

MINISTERS 

C.  W.  Howard — Received  from  Hopewell  Presbytery — - 
Died  Dec.  25,  1876. 

H.  C.  Carter — Received  from  Hopewell  Presbytery — 
Returned  to  s^me,  1842. 

Jas.  H.  George — Joined  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  died 
at  Marietta. 

Jesse  Wimpey — Licensed  and  ordained  by  the  Pres' 
bytery,  and  joined  New  School  Presbytery  of  Kingston. 

Joseph   McKee — Received  from   Protestant   Methodist 
Church,  joined  Presbytery  of  Union  N.  S. 
LICENTIATE 

Richard  A.  Milner — Joined  Cherokee  Presbytery  1844. 
CHURCHES 

Harmony — Received  from  Hopewell  Presbytery,  1839. 

Hickory  Flat — Received  from  Hopewell  Presbytery, 
1839. 


188     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Little  Britian — Organized  by  Etowah  Presbytery. 

Salem,  (Campbell  County)  organized  by  Dr.  Carter, 
1840. 

Friendship  joined  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

PRESBYTERY   OF   CHATTAHOOCHFE. 

Upon  the  dissolution  of  the  Presbytery  of  Etowah,  an- 
other Presbytery  was  set  up  in  its  place,  and  upon  its 
ruins  by  the  New  School  Synod  of  Tennessee,  and  named 
Presbytery  of  CHATTAHOOCHEE.  The  following  is  the 
account  of  its  organization: 

On  October  9,  1844,  "A  communication  was  received 
from  James  McLin,  J.  Wimpy,  and  J.  McKee,  mini&ters, 
and  from  sundry  Elders  residing  within  the  limits  of  the 
state  of  Georgia,  requesting  Synod  for  a  separate  Pres- 
byterial  organization." 

On  the  following  day  the  committee  on  the  petition  of 
the  Rev.  James  McLin  and  others,  reported.  The  report 
was  accepted  and  approved,  and  the  Synod  ordered,  "that 
the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  be  granted,  and  that  the  Rev. 
James  McLin,  Jesse  Wimpy,  and  Josepn  McKee,  be  con- 
stituted into  a  Presbytery,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of 
Chattahoochee.  The  north  boundary  of  that  Presbytery 
to  be  the  Tennessee  Sate  line,  and  to  include  the  counties 
in  the  new  part  of  the  State  of  Georgia  as  far  as  the 
bounds  of  the  Synod  of  Tennessee  extend,  having  under 
their  care  those  churches  in  that  region  which  are  now 
under  the  care  of  the  Kingston  Presbytery.  They  further 
recommend,  that  the  Presbytery  of  Chattahoochee  meet 
fn  Cassville,  Ga.,  on  the  first  Thursday  of  April,  1845,  at 
11  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  that  the  Rev.  James  McLin  preside 
as  Moderator."  (Min.  Syn.  Tenn.)  We  presume  the  Pres- 
bytery met  at  the  time  and  place  appointed  by  the  Synod, 
though  we  lack  the  records  to  show  it.  They  reported  to 
the  Synod  in  the  fall  four  ministers,  (The  Rev.  David  H. 
Mason  having  been  received),  and  seven  churches.  In 
1846,  they  reported  the  same  ministers,  and  eight  church- 
es; and  supplied  as  follows:  Rev.  James  McLin,  Pine  Log 
and  Stamp  Creek;  Jesse  Wimpy,  Dahlonega,  Hightower 
and  Hickory  Flat;   Joseph  McKee,  Pleasant  Valley,  Little 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     189 

Britain  and  Salem.  Rev.  D.  H.  Mason  without  charge.  In 
1847,  they  reported  an  additional  minister,  Rev.  Henry 
Reid.  In  1848  they  reported  the  ordination  of  Campbell 
Boyd  and  William  Swift  and  only  four  churches  reported. 
In  1849,  the  Synod  considered  the  case  of  Rev.  J.  Wimpy 
who  had  been  suspended  from  the  gospel  ministry  by  the 
Presbytery,  and  reversed  the  action  of  the  Presbytery, 
and  restored  him  to  his  former  standing,  when  they  took 
the  following  action: 

"  Resolved  that  the  Presbytery  of  Chattahoochee  be, 
and  is  hereby  dissolved;  That  Messrs.  H.  Reid  and  Joseph 
McKee  be,  and  hereby  are,  attached  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Union;  and  that  Rev.  Messrs.  C.  Boyd  and  J.  Wimpy, 
with  all  the  churches  of  the  Presbytery  of  Chattahoochee 
in  the  State  of  Georgia  and  the  records  of  that  Presbytery, 
be  and  hereby  are,  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Kings- 
ton."    (Min.  of  Synod). 

The  minutes  of  their  General  Assembly  for  1849,  the 
year  of  the  dissolution  of  the  Presbytery,  show  that  there 
were  four  ministers,  eight  churches,  forty-one  additions  on 
examination,  twenty-five  on  certificate,  whole  number  132; 
infants  baptized,  36;  membership  of  churches  as  follows: 
Pine  Log,  16;  Stamp  Creek,  20;  Dahlonega,  10;  Hightower, 
24;  Hickory  Flat,  30;  Pleasant  Valley,  13;  Little  Britain, 
13;  Salem,  6.     Rev.  Joseph  McKee,  Stated  Clerk. 

Thus  it  appears  that  the  New  School  Presbytery  of 
Chattahoochee,  like  that  of  Etowah,  did  not  long  survive 
— not  more  than  four  years. 

In  1847  Rev.  James  McLin  connected  himself  with  the 
Presbytery  of  Cherokee,  and  at  the  same  time  two  churches 
were  reported  as  being  received,  by  that  Presbytery,  "from 
a  body  not  in  our  connection,"  and  in  1859  Rev.  William 
Swift  and  Concord  Church  belonging  to  that  Presbytery 
were  received  by  the  Presbytery  of  Cherokee. 

After  the  dissolution  of  the  Presbytery,  Rev.  Jesse 
Wimpey  returned  to  the  Presbytery  of  Kingston,  Rev.  Jos- 
eph McKee  joined  the  Baptist  Church  and  after  the  war 
forsook  them  and  joined  the  Northern  Methodist  Church. 
"About  1868,"  says  Mr.  Cartledge  in  his  notes,  "Rev.  P.  C. 


190     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Morton  met  him  at  -his  home  in  the  northern  part  of  Lump- 
kin county,  Ga.,  in  extreme  old  age,  and  without  a  hope 
in  Christ.     What  has  since  been  his  lot  I  know  not." 

After  the  dissolution  of  the  Presbytery  the  New  School 
element  seemed  to  have  lost  the  little  hold  it  had  in  the 
State.  The  few  remaining  churches  soon  became  absorbed 
either  by  our  own  branch  of  the  Church,  or  by  other  denom- 
inations, so  that  in  a  few  years,  after  the  removal  of  Rev. 
T.  M,  Dwight,  and  the  death  of  Rev.  C.  W.  Howard,  every 
trace  of  it  had  disappeared  from  the  bounds  of  the  Synod. 
SYNOD  OF  TENNESSEE.  (New  School) 
CHATTAHOOCHEE    PRESBYTERY. 

1846 — Ministers:  Jas.  McLin,  iS.  S.,  Cassville,  Ga.; 
Jesse  Wimpy,  S.  S.,  Dahlonega,  Ga.;  Joseph  McKee,  D.  M., 
Cassville,  Ga.;  D.  H.  Mason,  W.  C. 

1847 — Ministers:  Henry  Reid  (additional). 

1848 — Ministers:  Campbell  Boyd,  ordained;  William 
Swift,  ordained. 

Churches — Pine  Log,  S.  S.,  Stamp  Creek,  S.  S.,  Dah- 
lonega, S.  S.,  Hightower,  S.  S.,  Hickory  Flat,  S.  S.,  Pleas- 
ant Valley,  S.  S.,  Little  Britian,  S.  S.,  Salem,  S.  S. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


BLOCK   CONTROVERSY   AND   DANCING. 

One  of  the  great  controversies,  and  one  perhaps  that 
stirred  the  Church  more  than  any  other,  unless  it  be  that 
of  evolution,  of  which  we  shall  hereafter  speak,  and  one  of 
great  importance  in  its  bearing  upon  the  matter  of  disci- 
pline, was  that  upon  the  subject  of  worldly  amusements, 
and  dancing  in  particular. 

During,  and  just  after  the  war  of  secession,  there  was 
a  tide  of  worldliness  sweeping  over  the  land.  There  were 
a  great  many  in  the  Church,  ministers  and  others,  who  felt 
that  something  ought  to  be  done  to  arrest  it. 

An  overture  was  sent  up  to  the  Assembly  that  met  at 
Macon,  in  1865,  by  Dr.  Ross,  then  pastor  of  the  Huntsville 
Church,  propounding  three  questions  and  asking  answers 
to  the  same.     The  three  questions  were: 

1.  Whether  every  Church  Session  has  the  right  to 
make  it  a  rule  that  dancing  and  other  amusements  are  dis- 
ciplinary? 

2.     Whether  such  rule  commonly  exists  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church? 

3.  Whether  such  rule  is  expedient?  Or  what  should 
be  the  mind  of  the  whole  body,  and  what  its  action? 

To  these  three  questions  the  Assembly  made  the  fol- 
lowing answers: 

To  the  first:  No  church  judicatory  has  a  right  to  make 
any  new  rules  of  church  membership  different  from  those 
contained  in  the  Constitution;  but  it  is  the  undoubted  right 
of  the  church  session  and  of  every  other  judicatory  to  make 
a  deliverance,  affirming  its  sense  of  what  is  an  "offense" 
in  the  meaning  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  Ch.  I,  Sec.  3. 

To  the  second:  Probably  none  of  our  judicatories  are 
as  faithful  as  they  ought  to  be,  but  it  is  believed  that  the 
churches  generally  do  in  some  form  discountenance  danc- 
ing.    And  the  Presbyterian  Church,  through  its  supreme 


192     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

judicatory,  has  repeatedly  borne  its  testimony  against 
dancing  and  other  worldly  amusements. 

To  the  third:  It  is  the  duty  of  every  judicatory  to  en- 
force the  teachings  of  our  standards  on  this  and  other 
fashionable  amusements,  such  as  theatrical  performances, 
card  playing,  etc.  And  while  the  Assembly  believes  that 
the  "lascivious  dancings,"  declared  to  be  forbidden  in  the 
seventh  commandment,  by  the  answer  to  the  139th  ques- 
tion of  the  Larger  Catechism,  are  not  those  usual  in  our 
best  society,  yet  it  is  our  belief  that  the  tenor  of  the 
teachings  of  the  Scriptures  and  our  standards  is  in  di- 
rect opposition  to  this  social  usuage.  Christ's  kingdom  is 
not  of  this  world,  and  the  apostle  exhorts  Christians  not 
to  be  conformed  to  this  world.  Though  we  do  not  say  that 
all  these  amusements  are  "in  their  own  nature  sinful,"  it 
is  clear  that  they  "may  tempt"  those  who  engage  in  them, 
and  others,  to  sin;  and  moreover  the  Scriptures  condemn 
them  as  worldliness.  If  the  practice  of  the  dance  in  mixed 
assemblies  be  not  conforming  to  the  world,  it  is  difficult 
to  name  any  offense  against  the  injunction  of  the  Apostle. 
Nor  need  the  church  of  Christ  have  any  hesitancy  in  an- 
nouncing its  position  on  this  subject,  for  the  men  of  the 
world,  with  one  consent,  agree  that  it  is  inconsistent  with 
the  nature  of  the  Christian  profession,  for  members  of  the 
church  to  engage  in  the  dance. 

In  this  connection  the  Assembly  would  take  occasion 
to  exhort  our  Christian  people  to  avoid  the  excesses  into 
which  they  are  in  danger  of  being  drawn  by  the  demands 
of  fashion.  The  Scriptures  forbid  "revellings"  and  all  in- 
temperate self-indulgence;  with  which  teachings  the  pre- 
valent custom  of  protracting  social  assemblies,  with 
music  and  dancing,  to  the  hours  of  the  morning,  but  es- 
pecially when  accompanied  with  drinking,  or  cardplaying, 
is  manifestly  inconsistent.  Moreover  the  Assembly,  ob- 
serving that  parties  of  pleasure  are  usually  composed  al- 
most exclusively  of  unmarried  young  people,  would  give  it 
as  its  earnest  advice,  that  the  best  form  of  social  reunion 
be  made  to  partake,  as  much  as  possible  of  the  style  and 
tone  of  the  family  circle  in  which  youthful  enjoyment  is 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     193 

tempered  by  the  presence  of  the  older  and  married  mem- 
bers. 

The  Assembly  expresses  itself  with  the  more  earnest- 
ness on  this  whole  subject,  because  of  the  disposition 
which  is  observed  in  all  parts  of  our  borders  to  run  into 
the  inordinate  indulgence  of  worldliness  at  this  time,  in 
forgetfulness  of  the  mighty  chastenings  of  God  which  are 
even  yet  upon  us,  and  because  we  see  members  of  our 
churches,  and  our  beloved  baptized  youth,  in  forgetfulness 
of  the  covenant  of  God,  which  is  upon  them,  carried  away 
with  the  world's  delusions,  to  the  subversion  of  the  divine 
influences  of  the  sanctuary,  and  to  the  neglect  of  the  in- 
terests of  their  souls.  Wherefore,  the  Assembly  would 
urge  our  people  to  take  the  word  of  exhortation;  to  ab- 
stain from  all  forms  of  evil;  and  to  study  and  pursue  that 
sobriety  which  becometh  the  gospel,  so  that  the  church 
of  Christ  shall  indeed  be  "a  peculiar  people."  And  we 
hereby  exhort  our  ministers  and  church  Sessions  to  a  dis- 
charge of  their  duties.  Let  them  proceed  by  affectionate 
and  faithful  instruction  from  the  pulpit,  as  well  as  in  pri- 
vate; by  admonition  and  by  such  other  measures  as  Christ- 
ian prudence  may  dictate;  but  when  all  other  means  fail, 
let  them  proceed  to  such  methods  of  discipline  as  shall 
separate  from  the  church  those  w^ho  love  the  world  and 
practice  conformity  thereto,  rather  than  to  the  law  of 
Christ.   (1) 

An  overture  was  sent  by  Rev.  Dr.  Dabney,  then  Pro- 
fessor at  Union  Seminary,  to  the  Assembly  at  Mobile  in 
May,  1869,  the  substance  of  which  was  an  earnest  recom- 
mendation to  the  Assembly,  "to  direct  all  its  moral  and 
spiritual  powers,  to  the  points:  "First,  appealing  to  educat- 
ed and  professional  men  for  an  extraordinary  recruit  to 
the  ministry. 

And  secondly,  effectually  causing  all  church  Sessions 
and  Presbyteries  to  enforce  the  discipline  provided  in  our 
constitution  against  offenses;  and  especially  agicst  con- 
formity  to   dissipated   and   lascivious   amusements   of   the 


(l)Min.  Assem.  Vol.  1.  361,  361 


194     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

world,  intemperance,  and  relaxed  expedients  for  evading 
pecuniary  obligations  now  permitted  by  the  laws  of  the 
country." 

To  the  second  of  these  the  Assembly  gives  the  ans- 
wer: 

That  the  Assembly  would,  in  hearty  response  to  the 
second  suggestion  of  this  overture,  earnestly  and  solemn- 
ly enjoin  upon  all  the  Sessions  and  Presbyteries  under  its 
care,  the  absolute  necessity  of  enforcing  "the  discipline 
provided  in  our  constitution  against  offenses,"  under  the 
word  offenses,  including  attendance  by  our  members  upon 
theatrical  exhibitions  and  performances,  and  promiscuous 
dancings;  against  intemperance,  and  against  availing 
themselves  of  the  "expedients  for  evading  pecuniary  ob- 
ligations, now  permitted  by  the  legislation  of  the  country," 
in  such  manner  as  cannot  be  justified  by  a  conscience  en- 
lightened by  the  Spirit  and  the  word  of  God,  and  must  dis- 
honor the  cause  of  Jesus  Christ.   (2) 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  at  Phil- 
adelphia church,  April  1877,  Rev.  F,  McMurray  introduced 
a  resolution  to  the  effect  that  in  view  of  the  pleasure-lov- 
ing disposition  of  the  people  in  this  day  of  abounding  in- 
iquity, that  a  pastoral  letter  be  prepared  and  sent  down 
to  the  churches,  putting  them  on  their  guard,  and  warning 
them  of  evil  tendencies.  It  was  also  resolved  that  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  be  incorporated  in  said  pastoral  letter: 
"Resolved,  That  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  hereby  en- 
Joins  the  Sessions  of  the  churches  under  its  care  to  exer- 
cise the  discipline,  prescribed  in  our  book  against  the 
guilt  of  indulging  in  worldly  amusements,  condemned  by 
our  Assembly  in  its  deliverances  of  1865  and  1869." 

This  pastoral  letter  w^as  prepared  with  this  resolu- 
tion embodied  in  it  and  sent  to  the  churches.  Min.  Pres. 
1877,  pages,  12,  17,  and  20. 

At  that  same  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  the  follow- 
ing overture  was  prepared  and  ordered  sent  to  the  General 
Assembly: 

(2)  Min.  Assem.  Vol.  11.  390. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     195 

"The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  would  respectfully  over- 
ture the  General  Assembly  to  interpret  the  law  of  the 
church  against  worldly  amusements  as  set  forth  in  the 
deliverances  of  1865  and  1869,  in  the  following  particul- 
lars: 

1st.  Does  the  law  forbid  card  playing  for  purposes  of 
amusement  or  for  purposes  of  gambling  merely? 

2nd.  Does  it  forbid  dancing,  or  only  promiscuous 
dancing? 

3rd.  If  the  latter  only,  to  what  accident  of  the  dance 
does  the  word  "promiscuous"  refer?  Does  the  law  forbid 
the  round  dances  merely  as  distinguished  from  the  square, 
or  dancing  at  a  public  hall  as  distinguished  from  dancing 
in  a  private  house?  Or  the  mingling  of  males  and  females 
in  this  amusement,  for  the  reason,  among  others,  that  in 
such  cases  the  dance  has  a  tendency  to  inflame  the  licen- 
tious passions? 

By  giving  explicit  replies  to  the  above  questions,  Pres. 
bytery  is  persuaded  that  the  Assembly  will  perform  time- 
ly and  important  service  to  the  church,  and  free  from 
their  present  embarrassment  many  sessions  which  are 
ready  to  enforce  the  law,  and  yet  restrained  from  acting 
by  doubt  as  to  its  true  construction."  (1). 

The  following  was  the  answer  of  the  Assembly  to 
these  questions,  rendered  at  their  meeting  in  May  of  the 
same  year  at  New  Orleans: 

1st.  The  Assembly  has  uniformly  discouraged  and 
condemned  the  modern  dance  in  all  its  form,  as  tending 
to  evil,  whether  practiced  in  public  halls  or  in  private 
parlors. 

2nd.  Some  forms  of  this  amusement  are  more  mis- 
chievous than  others — the  round  dance  than  the  square, 
the  public  ball  than  the  private  parlor — but  all  are  evil 
and  should  be  discontinued. 

3rd.  The  extent  of  the  mischief  done  depends  largely 
upon  circumstances.  The  Church  Session  is  therefore  the 
only  court  competent  to  judge  what  remedy  to  apply;  but 

(1)   Min.  P.  17. 


196     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  Assembly  being  persuaded  that  in  most  cases  it  Is  the 
result  of  thoughtlessness  or  ignorance,  recommends  great 
patience  in  dealing  with  those  who  offend  in  this  way." 
Vol.  IV,  P.  411. 

Against  this  action  Rev.  J.  W.  Montgomery  offered  a 
protest  which  was  allowed  to  go  to  record;  the  ground  of 
the  protest  being  twofold: 

1st.  Because  the  Assembly  by  condemning  actions  as 
actions  which  may  or  may  not  involve  an  element  of  sin, 
weakens  the  forc-e  of  its  own  protest  against  REAL  and  AC- 
KNOWLEDGED wrong. 

2nd.  Because,  in  the  judgment  of  your  protestant, 
this  deliverance  contravenes  Section  2,  Chapter  20,  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  which  declares  that  God  alone  is  Lord  of 
the  conscience,  and  hath  left  it  free  from  ithe  doc- 
trines and  commandments  of  men  which  are  in  anything 
CONTRARY  TO  HIS  WORD  OR  BESIDE  IT,  etc.  P.  429 

In  accordance  with  the  above  deliverances  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  their  interpretation  of  the  law,  the 
Session  of  the  Central  Church,  Atlanta,  Georgia,  then  un- 
der the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  J.  T.  Leftwich,  D.  D.,  pro- 
ceeded to  table  charges  against  Mr.  Frank  E.  Block,  a 
member  and  Deacon  in  said  church.  The  following  com- 
posed the  Session  at  that  time:  Dr.  J.  P.  Logan,  A.  V. 
Brunby,  Moses  Cole,  S.  D.  McConnell,  William  McNaught, 
uampbell  Wallace,  and  J.  M.  Patton,  w^ho  was  Clerk. 

The  Session  met  Jan.  8,  1878,  at  which  time  the  fol- 
lowing charge  was  made  out: 

"Whereas,  It  is  reported  by  common  fame,  that  Mr. 
Frank  E.  Block,  a  member  and  Deacon  of  this  church,  has 
been  guilty  of  violating  the  law  of  the  church,  in  this: 
1st,  that  the  said  Frank  E.  Block  did,  on  or  about  the  27th 
of  December,  last,  give  an  entertainment  at  his  residence 
on  McDonough  Street,  in  this  city,  in  which  dancing  was 
permitted  and  encouraged.  2nd,  that  the  said  Block,  by 
his  own  act,  in  thus  encouraging  a  violation  of  the  law 
of  the  church,  has  tempted  others,  and  younger  members 
of  the  church  to  sin;    Therefore: 

"Resolved,  That  the  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  a  cita* 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     197 

tion  requiring  tlie  said  F.  E.  Block  to  appear  before  the 
Session  on  Monday,  21st,  at  4  o'clock  P.  M.  in  the  lecture 
room  to  answer  in  reference  to  these  matters." 

The  citation  was  issued,  Mr.  Block  appeared  before 
the  Session,  and  after  a  regular  trial  the  Session  adopted 
the  following  sentence: 

"Mr.  Frank  E.  Block,  having  admitted  before  the  ses- 
sion, that  at  an  entertainment  given  by  him  at  his  resi- 
dence in  this  city  on  the  27th  of  December  last,  dancing 
both  round  and  square,  was  permitted;  and  having  de- 
fended and  attempted  to  justify  the  same,  notwithstand- 
ing the  deliverances  of  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  and  of 
the  General  Assembly,  which  have  both  strongly  enjoined 
upon  sessions  the  absolute  necessity  of  enforcing  the  dis- 
cipline provided  in  the  constitution  of  the  church  against 
such  conduct;  and  the  said  Block  having  gone  further,  and 
denied  the  validity  of  the  said  deliverances  above  referred 
to,  as  unauthorized  by  the  constitution  of  the  church,  and 
the  word  of  God;  and  having  denounced  the  same  as  an  un- 
warranted usurpation  of  power  on  part  of  the  said  judica- 
tories. 

"It  is,  therefore,  declared  as  the  sense  of  this  Session, 
that  the  said  F.  E.  Block  be  suspended  from  the  priveleges 
of  c-hurch  membership,  until  he  shall  give  evidence  of  re- 
pentance for  this  offense,  and  make  promise  of  reformation 
in  the  future." 

From  this  judgment,  Mr.  McNaught  one  of  the  elders, 
dissented,  favoring  only  admonition. 

From  this  judgment  Mr.  Block  took  an  appeal  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  which  was  soon  to  meet. 

The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  met  in  Lawrenceville, 
April  26,  1878.  The  case  came  up  by  appeal,  and  being  in 
order,  was  fully  considered,  three  days  being  consumed 
in  its  consideration.  In  this  discussion  nearly  all  the  mem- 
bers took  part.  The  debate  was  lively  and  animated.  On 
the  third  day  the  vote  was  taken  with  the  following  re- 
sult: 

TO   SUSTAIN. 

Ministers — John  Jones,  D.  D.,  D.  Eraser,  J.  H.  Martin. 


198     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Elders— W.  P.  Inman,  M.  V.  McKibben,  L.  O.  Stevens, 
D.  Hoyt,  W.  L.  Shumate— 8 

NOT  SUSTAIN. 

Ministers — A.  G.  Peden,  J.  N.  Bradshaw,  F.  McMurray, 
Wm.  Dimmock,  W.  A.  Dabney,  R.  F.  Taylor,  W.  T.  Hollings- 
worth,  S.  S.  Gaillard,  James  Stacy,  D.  D. 

Elders— H.  P.  Richards,  T.  W.  Dimmock,  A.  W.  Blake, 
D.  M.  Bird,  John  Thompson,  Winfield  Woolf,  A.  L.  Huie, 
G^o.  Lyons,  John  Douglass,  J.  A.  Hollingsworth,  D.  D. 
Peden— 20. 

SUSTAIN  IN  PART. 

Ministers — Henry  Quigg,  J.  L.  King,  J.  L.  Rogers,  M. 
C.  Britt. 

Elders— S.  D.  Night,  R.  L.  Barry,  A.  C.  Russell— 7. 

Wherefore  it  was  "resolved,  That  it  is  declared  to  be 
the  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  that  the  appeal  of  Mr. 
Block  be  not  and  is  not,  sustained." 

From  this  decision  of  the  Presbytery  Mr.  Block  ap- 
pealed to  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

CASE  BEFORE  THE  SYNOD  OF  GEORGIA. 

The  Synod  met  at  the  Central  Church,  Atlanta,  Oct. 
z3rd,  1878,  and  continued  in  session  till  Wednesday,  No- 
vember 1st.  There  was  a  full  attendance  and  the  intens- 
est  interest  manifested  on  part  of  the  church  and  com- 
munity, as  the  place  of  meeting  was  the  church  and  con- 
gregation in  which  the  case  originated;  and  moreover  as 
the  case  had  been  before  the  church  and  world  for  more 
than  a  year;  a  great  deal  having  been  said  and  written 
on  the  same. 

The  following  are  the  grounds  of  the  appeal,  eight 
in  all.  The  first,  second  and  eighth,  were  stricken  by  the 
Synod,  as  not  being  germane  to  the  appeal  and  not  sup- 
ported by  evidence,  which  in  the  nature  of  the  case,  could 
not  be  contained  in  the  records. 

3rd.  On  the  ground  that  the  decision  was  not  sup- 
ported by  the  evidence,  there  being  no  proof  offered,  that 
any  sin  had  been  committed  by  myself,  or  any  one  else 
in  my  house,  on  December  27th,  the  Session  relying  solely 
for  proof  on  questions  asked  me  to  convict  myself,  which 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEO.RGIA     199 

mode  of  conviction  is  contrary  to  the  fundamental  princi- 
ples of  justice,  both  in  civil  and  ecclesiastical  courts. 

4th.  On  the  ground  that  I  am  suspended  from  the 
church  upon  a  charge  which  in  itself  does  not  contain  che 
essentials  of  an  offense. 

5th.  On  the  ground  that  the  verdict  of  the  Session 
was  not  corrected  in  the  statement  that  "I  justified  danc- 
ing both  round  and  square,"  which  is  contrary  to  the  fact 
as  shown  in  the  evidence  on  record. 

6th.  On  the  ground  that  the  verdict  of  the  Session 
was  not  corrected  in  the  statement  that  I  "denounced  the 
deliverances  of  the  Assemblies  as  an  unwarranted  usur- 
pation of  power  on  part  of  the  said  judicatories,"  which  is 
contrary  to  the  fact  as  shown  in  the  printed  defense  as 
offered  before  the  Session. 

7th.  On  the  ground  that  the  position  taken  by  the  ap- 
pellee, and  supported  by  the  Presbytery,  involves  the  mak- 
ing of  new  terms  of  communion,  not  contained  in  the 
Bible  or  in  our  standards." 

After  protracted  discussion  of  the  case,  the  vote  was 
taken  and  is  as  follows: 

To  sustain  26.  To  sustain  in  part,  14;  not  to  sustain; 
17.      The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  not  being  allowed  to  vote. 

The  following  was  adopted  the  finding  of  the  Court: 

The  Synod  finds: 

1st.  That  laws  exist  in  our  constitution  which  are  ap* 
plicable  to  all  offenses,  including  under  that  term  popular 
amusements  of  all  kinds,  when  these  are  in  their  ow-n  na- 
ture sinful,  or  from  attendant  circumstances  become  so. 

2nd.  That  when  common  fame  charged  Mr.  F,  E. 
Block,  a  deacon  of  the  Atlanta  Central  Church,  with  hav- 
ing violated  a  law  of  the  church  in  connection  with  danc- 
ing it  was  the  duty  of  the  Session  of  said  church  to  inves- 
tigate this  charge,  in  obedience  to  the  commands  of  the 
General  Assembly,  as  contained  in  its  deliverances  made 
in  a:iswer  to  the  overtures  of  Drs.  Ross  and  Dabney,  and 
the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  in  the  years  1865,  1869,  and 
1877. 

3rd.     That  the  proceedings  of  said  session,  in  conduct- 


200     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ing  the  trial  to  which  this  investigation  led,  were  irregu- 
lar. (1)  In  failing  to  specify  with  sufficient  particularity 
in  the  charge  what  law  of  the  church  had  been  violated 
(2)  In  failing  to  observe  the  requirements  of  the  Book  of 
Discipline  in  chapter  IV,  section  5.  (3).  In  including  in 
the  sentence  specifications  of  offenses  not  set  forth  in  the 
charge. 

4th.  That  the  decision  of  said  Session  was  not  sus- 
tained by  the  evidence, 

5th.  Therefore,  on  these  grounds  the  Synod  reverses 
the  decision  of  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  in  this  case  and 
the  sentence  pronounced  upon  Mr.  F.  E.  Block  by  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  Atlanta  Central  Church,  and  it  restores  Ml 
Block  to  the  privileges  of  church  Membership." 

The  vote  upon  this  paper  stood:   Ayes,  37;    Nays,  15. 

Dr.  Leftwich  gave  notice  that  he  would  on  part  of  th« 
Session  take  an  appeal  to  the  General  Assembly.  But 
having  received  a  call  immediately  thereafter,  and  even 
before  the  rising  of  the  Synod,  to  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  soon  moving  out  of  the 
bounds  of  the  Southern  Assembly,  the  matter  was  drop- 
ped and  the  case  prosecuted  no  further. 

We  have  been  rather  particular  in  our  statements,  as 
this  is  one  of  the  most  important  judicial  cases  ever  up  be- 
fore the  Synod  of  Georgia  for  adjudication,  as  it  settled  a 
most  important  principle.  The  case  was  watched  with  in- 
terest, not  only  by  our  own  people,  but  equally  so  by  oth- 
er denominations,  and  likewise  by  the  outside  world.  It 
was  regarded  by  all  as  a  test  case.  Its  decision,  therefore 
was  far  reaching,  and  forever  settled  the  question  of 
church  discipline  for  worldly  amusements  and  not  only 
so  but  lowered  the  entire  standard  of  church  membership, 
and  not  only  in  our  own  church,  but  those  of  other  denom- 
inations, removing  all  barriers  between  it  and  the  world, 
except  the  judgment  and  notion  of  the  member  himself; 
and  in  his  way,  most  disastrous  in  its  effects.  Formerly  dis- 
cipline for  worldly  amusements  was  administered  with 
comparative  strictness,  but  now  worldly  conformity  is  no 
longer  desciplinable,  at  least  beyond  admonition.     For  if 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     201 

promiscuous  dancing,  theatre  going,  and  card  playing,  be 
not  disciplinable,  neither  are  whiskey  selling,  horse  rac- 
ing and  gambling.  The  church  has  thus  tied  her  own 
hands  by  placing  these  things  outside  her  jurisdiction  and 
limits  of  her  power.  If  she  be  not  competent  to  act  on 
general  principles,  and  to  define  what  is  to  be  considered  an 
"offense,"  but  must  show  a  thus  saith  the  Lord,  for  every 
statute,  she  may  as  well  throw  down  all  her  standards 
except  the  ten  commandments,  and  abolish  all  her  courts. 
He  who  goes  to  the  Scriptures  for  an  express  command- 
ment for  every  case  will  find  himself  mistaken.  All  we 
find  are  general  fundamental  principles,  which  in  cases  of 
dispute  are  to  be  settled  by  her  courts. 

We  have  nothing  to  say  about  this  particular  case, 
whether  the  punishment  was  unduly  severe  or  not,  but 
this  much  we  would  venture  to  afirm,  that  our  courts 
seem  to  stand  self  contradicted.  For  in  the  first  deliver- 
ances in  '65,  '69  and  '77,  it  was  distinctly  affirmed  that  in 
the  judgment  of  the  Assembly  promiscuous  dancing  was 
considered  an  offense  and  Sessions  were  instructed  to  pro- 
ceed against  recalcitrant  members.  And  then  in  1878  they 
assert  with  equal  clearness'  that  there  is  no  such  law; 
that  the  Assembly  has  no  authority  so  to  interpret  an  of- 
fense; that  these  former  deliverances  were  mere  "Obita 
Dictu"  of  the  court,  and  really  of  no  authority,  not  even 
as  advice,  for  if  the  advice  could  not  be  followed  in  deal- 
ing with  delinquent  members,  the  Assembly  simply  stulti- 
fied itself  in  giving  it. 

In  the  discussion  the  distinction  was  clearly  drawn  be- 
tween a  decision  and  a  mere  "in  thesi  deliverance,"  it  be- 
ing admitted  that  the  former  would  have  all  the  binding 
force  of  law,  but  the  latter  never  could,  for  the  former 
would  be  the  act  of  a  court  solemnly  sitting  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  the  latter  only  an  expression  of  opinion. 
On  the  other  hand,  it  was  argued  that  these  deliver- 
ances were  the  deliverances  of  the  same  court  of  Jesus 
Christ,  as  well  as  the  other  constituted  in  the  same  way, 
with  the  same  authority,  and  why  the  one  solemn  deliver- 
ance of  the  same  court,  constituted  in  the  same  way,  and 


202     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

with  the  same  authority,  should  not  be  as  binding  as  the 
other,  no  one  could  tell. 

There  seemed  also  to  be  a  confused  notion  as  to  the 
styling  of  a  decision  in  a  concrete  case  as  a  law.  It  was  ad- 
mitted that  all  such  decisions  would  be  law  in  that  partic- 
ular case,  but  how  a  law  in  others  with  different  attend- 
ing circumstances?  So  the  case  must  precede  the  law  be- 
fore the  law  could  be  known,  and  thus  the  case  would  de- 
termine the  law  and  not  the  law  the  case.  The  whole  ques- 
tion of  the  force  of  "in  thesi  deliverances"  and  their  posi- 
tion in  our  form  of  government,  needs  to  be  upset  and  re- 
considered. Of  what  use  is  a  court  if  it  cannot  interpret 
the  meaning  of  the  law  when  appealed  to;  or  if  its  inter- 
pretation, when  thus  rendered,  be  not  binding? 

Concerning  this  case  the  following  things  are  to  be 
noted: 

1st.  Next  to  the  evolution  controversy,  of  which  T 
shall  speak  hereafter,  no  question  was  ever  before  the 
Synod  of  Georgia  of  equal  magnitude  and  none  ever  stir- 
red the  church  more  profoundly.  The  papers,  both  secu- 
lar and  religious,  were  full  of  it.  The  discussion  was  upon 
every  lip  and  this  interest  not  confined  to  our  own  church 
alone,  but  to  the  other  denominations  as  well  and  also  to 
the  utside  world.  Every  body  regarded  it  as  a  test  case. 
The  question  was  now  to  be  settled  whether  a  church 
member  could  be  dealt  with  for  worldly  conformity  and 
indulging  in  worldly  pleasures.  Whether  the  Church  had 
the  right  to  make  a  law  against  such  things?  Or  to  so  in^ 
terpret  the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures  as  forbidding  such 
things  and  to  exclude  from  her  communion  all  who  per- 
sistently indulged  in  them.  And  the  question  assumed 
additional  interest,  because  so  far  reaching  in  its  applica- 
tion; the  principle  applying  alike  to  the  kindred  subjects 
of  whiskey  selling,  horse  racing,  gambling  and  the  like. 
For  they  were  all  in  the  same  category.  If  the  church 
could  not  reach  the  one  in  her  discipline,  neither  could  it 
reach  the  others.  The  eyes  of  every  one,  therefore,  were 
turned  to  this  case  to  see  what  would  be  the  decision  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  on  this  class  of  subjects. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     203 

2nd.  To  the  casual  observer  the  settlement  of  the 
case  was  a  quasi  declaration  that  the  Presbyterian  church 
has  no  law  against  these  things,  and  therefore  no  man  is 
to  be  dealt  with  for  indulging  in  them.  This  was  the  in- 
terpretation put  upon  the  verdict  by  the  world.  This  was 
the  thing  charged  by  the  defeated  minority  of  the  Synod, 
and  virtually  admitted  by  the  controlling  majority,  inas- 
much as  in  their  judgment  they  said  nothing  about  the  con- 
duct of  the  defendant,  as  though  he  had  done  nothing 
worthy  of  censure,  though  he  was  a  deacon,  and  had  sworn 
to  "study  the  unity  and  peace  of  the  church,"  but  the  entire 
blame  being  put  upon  the  Session  for  all  the  disturbance, 
and  injury  done  the  church  and  the  cause  of  Christ  in 
general. 

It  was  for  this  reason  that  Dr.  Lane,  seeing  the  logi- 
cal interpretation  the  world  would  and  w^as  putting  upon 
this  action  of  Synod,  offered  the  supplementary  resolution 
which  was  adopted  to  the  effect  that,  notw^ithstanding  the 
decision  in  the  case,  the  Synod  would  not  have  the  world 
believe  that  it  favored  dancing.  And  for  the  same  reason 
eight  years  after,  at  Sparta,  in  1886,  J.  L.  'Stevens, 
seeing  still  more  clearly  the  effect  of  the  decision,  offered 
the  resolution: 

"Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  action  of 
the  Synod  in  the  Block  case  has  been  construed  into  an 
approval  of  the  dance,  when  that  case  was  decided  purely 
on  technical  grounds,  as  the  records  of  the  Synod  will 
show,  that  we  affirm  that  all  of  the  deliverances  of  the 
Assemblies  of  the  church  on  the  dance  are  in  full  force." 
Which  resolution  was  at  once  tabled  by  a  vote  of  32  to  11. 
(Min.  1886.  p.  12.) 

So  also  in  1889,  thirteen  years  after,  at  Griffin,  the 
Synod  found  it  necessary  to  counteract  the  effects  of  that 
decision,  to  adopt  the  following  resolution  upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  committee  on  Worldly  Amusements: 

"Whereas,  there  is  a  misapprehension  as  to  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Synod  of  Georgia  on  the  subject  of  dancing  and 
other  fashionable  amusements,  it  is  hereby: 

Resolved,  That  the  Synod  of  Greorgia  disapproves  of 


204     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

and  condemns  dancing,  especially  in  its  more  modern 
forms,  the  round  dance  and  the  German,  card  playing  and 
theater  going,  and  that  this  has  uniformly  been  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Standards  of  the  Church."  (Min.  1889.  p.  13.) 

That  this  was  the  interpretation  of  the  entire  outside 
world  clearly  appears  from  the  effects.  The  result  of  the 
decision  was  that  it  has  effectually  killed  all  discipline 
not  only  in  the  Presbyterian  church  but  in  all  the  Christ- 
ian churches,  for  the  offense  of  dancing,  it  being 
no  more  regarded  as  an  offense  but  the  merest  peccadillo 
at  best.  And  not  only  so,  but  also  lowered  the  standard  of 
discipline  in  all  the  churches  and  upon  all  matters.  Form- 
erly the  churches  were  tolerably  strict  in  their  discip- 
line, but  now  the  dividing  line  between  the  church  and 
the  world  has  been  almost  entirely  obliterated,  and  it  has 
become  exceedingly  rare  ever  to  hear  of  a  case  of  discip- 
line in  any  of  the  churches  for  any  offense.  The  decision 
of  the  case  has  been  most  disastrous  in  its  results  and  far 
reaching  in  its  consequences. 

3rd.  Now  as  to  the  merits  of  the  case  and  the  prin- 
ciples involved.  In  order  to  understand  this  we  must 
bear  in  mind  the  following  things: 

1st.  The  Definition  of  an  Offense.  An  oiTense,  ac- 
cording to  the  Book  of  Church  Order,  "  is  anything  in  the 
principles  or  practice  of  a  church  member  which  is  con- 
trary to  the  Word  of  God.  The  Confession  of  Faith,  and 
the  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms  of  the  Westminster 
Assembly,  together  with  the  'Formularies  of  'Government, 
Discipline  and  Worship,  are  accepted  by  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  as  standard  expositions  of 
the  teaching  of  Scripture  in  relation  to  both  faith  and 
practice.  Nothing,  therefore,  ought  to  be  considered  by 
any  court  as  an  offense  or  admitted  as  a  matter  of  accusa- 
tion, which  cannot  be  proved  to  be  such  from  Scripture  as 
interpreted  in  these  standards."  (Ch.  Ill  Par.  153.) 

2nd.  The  Powers  of  the  Assembly.  In  addition  to  its 
general  supervisory  power,  among  other  things,  it  is 
asserted  that  it  is  its  province,  "to  decide  in  all  controver- 
sies respecting  doctrine  and  discipline;   to  give  its  advice 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     205 

and  instruction,  in  conformity  with  the  constitution,  in  all 
cases  submitted  to  it."  Not  .that  it  has  power  to  make  law, 
or  to  set  up  a  new  standard,  but  to  interpret  the  standards 
already  set  up,  in  all  cases  submitted  to  it  for  its  decision. 
Being  the  Court  of  last  resort,  its  instructions  and  direc- 
tions are  to  be  regarded  as  supreme,  its  interpretations  of 
the  standards  to  be  received  as  authoritative  and  binding. 

3rd.  The  things  mentioned  as  embraced  in  the  Stand- 
ards. These  are,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Larger  and 
Shorter  Catechisms,  together  with  the  Formularies  of  Gov- 
ernment, Discipline  and  Worship.  Error  in  any  of  these 
particulars  constitutes  an  Offense  with  which  the  Courts 
are  to  deal. 

4th.  Now  for  the  facts  in  the  case.  For  some  years, 
from  1865  to  1877,  at  different  times  and  on  different  oc- 
casions, the  Assembly  had  been  formally  overtured,  once 
by  a  Theological  Professor,  once  by  a  prominent  pastor, 
and  once  by  a  Presbytery,  for  interpretation  and  instruc- 
tion as  to  the  teachings  of  the  standards  of  the  church 
on  the  subject  of  the  dance.  Whether  the  "promiscuous 
dance"  as  commonly  practiced  was  an  offense  according 
to  the  standards,  and  therefore  disciplinable,  and  whether 
there  should  be  a  distinction  between  the  round  and 
square  dance,  and  whether  in  private  and  public? 

The  Assembly  replied  that  no  Church  Court  has  a 
right  to  make  any  law  on  the  subject,  but  that  each  Ses- 
sion has  the  right  to  make  a  deliverance  affirming  its  sense 
of  what  is  an  offense  in  the  meaning  of  the  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline. That  all  dances  may  not  come  under  those  term- 
ed lascivious  in  the  answer  to  the  3  39tb  question  in  the 
Larger  Catechism,  yet  they  all  tend  to  evil,  whether 
round  or  square,  in  public  or  private,  and  should  be  dis- 
countenanced. That  is  was  their  duty  to  enforce  the 
teachings  of  the  standards  on  this  and  other  fashionable 
amusements,  and  after  admonition,  public  and  private,  had 
failed,  to  proceed  to  such  method  of  discipline  as  to  sep- 
arate such  from  the  church.  This  instruction  was  also  re- 
peated a  second  time. 

With  these  clear  cut  interpretations  of  law  by  this  the 


206     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

supreme  Court  of  the  Church,  and  to  which  the  Constitu- 
tion had  given  this  power,  before  them,  the  Session  of  the 
Central  Church  proceeded  to  table  charges  against  Mr. 
Block  and  suspended  him  from  the  church. 

Now  in  the  Judgment  rendered  by  the  Synod,  they 
declare  that  the  Session  of  the  Central  church,  when  they 
had  heard  the  charge  of  common  fame  against  the  defend- 
ent,  ought  to  have  proceeded  according  to  the  directions  of 
the  Assembly  in  answering  the  overtures  in  '65,  '69  and 
'77.  But  had  they  not  done  that  very  thing?  This  is  what 
they  thought  they  were  doing. 

The  Assembly  had  adjudged  that  promiscuous  danc- 
ing was  an  offense  under  the  standards.  This  was  the 
added  clause,  "and  enquire  w^hat  law  had  been  violat- 
ed?" The  Assembly  had  adjudged  that  promiscuous  danc- 
ing was  an  offence  under  the  standards.  This  was  the 
thing  submitted  and  passed  upon.  Herein  the  standards 
of  the  church  as  interpreted  by  our  highest  court  were  dis- 
regarded, and  this  is  the  charge  against  the  defendant.  This 
was  all  to  be  proven;  a  thing  not  denied.  What  then  is 
the  meaning  of  this  search  for  violated  law,  and  that  in 
obedience  to  the  direction  of  the  Assembly,  when  the  As- 
sembly said  nothing  about  it?  To  some  of  the  members 
of  that  Court  at  least,  at  that  time,  the  search  for  that 
violated  law,  doubtless  all  seemed  right  and  proper,  but  to 
observers  at  this  distant  day  it  appears  sadly  out  of  join*-. 

This  brings  us  then  to  the  main  issue  in  the  argu- 
ment, since  in  this  demanded  search  for  law  is  clearly 
concealed  an  implied  hint  that  there  was  no  law  on  the 
subject,  and  indeed  this  was  the  very  point  made  in  the 
argument.  The  point  was  pressed  by  all  the  leading  speak- 
ers upon  that  side  that  these  decisions  of  the  Assembly 
were  mere  "Obita  dictu,"  mere  "In  thesi"  deliverances, 
and  not  law.  And  yet  they  were  the  utterances  of  a 
Court,  the  highest  court  of  the  church  constituted  for  the 
very  purpose  of  settling  all  questions  of  law  as  well  as  all 
controversies,  when  submitted  to  them  and  in  answer  to 
a  formal  overture  that  as  a  court,  it  would  interpret  th« 
standards.    In  all  civil  courts  all  interpretations  of  the  law 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     207 

by  the  court  are  authoritive  and  binding  and  indeed 
forms  part  of  the  law  itself.  Strange,  then,  that  the  same 
principle  should  not  apply  to  Ecclessiastical  Courts  as 
well.  If  the  solemn  interpretations  of  law  by  the  Assem- 
bly when  formally  submitted  to  it  be  no  more  than  a  mere 
opinion  or  advice,  then  wherein  does  a  Presbyterian  As- 
sembly differ  from  a  congregational  assembly?  If  it  can 
only  give  advice,  of  what  use  is  it?  According  to  Pres- 
byterian theory,  the  Assembly  is  a  court  and  not  an  advis- 
ory body,  and  all  its  decisions  are  authoritative  and  bind- 
ing. When  it  gives  an  opinion,  merely,  then  that  opinion 
is  to  be  received  simply  as  an  opinion  and  respected  as 
such.  When  it  gives  a  solemn  interpretation  of  law  that 
interpretation  becomes  the  law  of  the  church  and  is  to  be 
accepted  as  such.  So  when  it  decides  a  judicial  case  that 
decision  becomes  the  law  in  that  particular  case.  If  a  court 
in  one  thing,  so  in  all.  If  a  court  in  the  morning,  so  in 
the  evening.  If  only  a  court  in  some  things,  then  where 
will  you  draw  the  line?  If  the  interpretation  of  a  court  be 
not  law,  and  binding,  why  should  its  decision  in  a  judicial 
case  be  binding?  If  the  ruling  of  the  Assembly  be  not 
law,  but  only  an  expression  of  opinion,  why  term  it  a 
Court?  According  to  our  standards,  the  General  Assem- 
bly is  a  properly  appointed  Court,  and  every  where  so 
termed,  and  like  all  other  courts,  not  to  make  law,  but  to 
interpret  the  law,  to  tell  what  the  law  is,  and  that  decision 
is  just  as  binding  as  when  it  passes  the  final  sentence. 
The  very  object  of  a  court  is  to  see  that  the  law  is  prop- 
erly understood  and  administered  as  it  is  written  upon  the 
statute  book.  This  is  what  the  Assembly  did.  It  made  no 
new  law  but  simply  interpreted  the  law  concerning  offen- 
ses, as  then  existing  upon  the  standards.  To  say  on  the 
one  hand  that  the  Assembly  had  no  right  to  do  this,  is  to 
deny  its  existence  and  authority  as  a  Court.  To  say,  on 
the  other  hand,  that  in  doing  this  the  Assembly  made  a 
new  law,  is  simply  making  an  assertion  not  supported  by 
the  facts  in  the  case. 

Here  then  was  the  circle  in  which  the  Synod  was  mov- 
ing.    In  their  judgment  they  said  that  the  Session  ought  to 


208     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

have  followed  the  direction  of  the  different  Assemblies  in 
the  matter,  and  yet  they  condemned  the  Session  for  doing 
that  very  thing.  They  were  to  follow  the  directions  of  the 
different  Assemblies  of  '65,  '69  and  '77,  and  point  out  with 
distinctness  the  particular  law  of  the  church  which  had 
been  violated,  and  yet  when  that  was  done  and  they  had 
pointed  to  the  law  of  offense  as  interpreted  by  the  As- 
sembly, they  say  that  those  official  decisions  of  this  the 
highest  court  in  the  church,  and  set  up  for  that  very  pur- 
pose, which  in  the  exercise  of  their  ligitimate  functions, 
had  interpreted  the  law  as  submitted  to  them,  that  these  de- 
cisions of  this  high  court  were  mere  "obita  verba"  "in  thesi 
deliverances,"  mere  opinions  and  not  laws.  They  were  to 
follow  the  Assemblies  and  not  to  follow  them. 
The  Assembly,  when  sitting  as  a  jury,  was  a  court, 
but  when  sitting  as  an  interpreter  and  expositor 
of  law,  no  court,  and  its  decisions  of  no  more  binding  au- 
thority than  of  any  body  else.  It  is  easy  to  see  how  the  whole 
outside  world  regarded  the  whole  trial  as  the  merest 
sham,  but  an  ecclesiastical  dodge  of  the  great  practical 
issue  that  was  shaking  the  church  from  its  centre  tJ  its 
circumference. 

There  were  two  other  particulars  in  which  the  Synod 
said  the  Session  had  erred.  One  was  not  first  having  gone 
to  the  defendent  in  private,  according  to  the  Saviour's 
rule  in  Matt.  18,  15  (see  Ch.  IV.  Sec.  V.  Book  of  Discip- 
line.) But  to  the  Session  this  did  not  appear  a  private  but 
a  public  offense.  The  offender  had  been  remonstrated 
with;  the  pastor  had  been  to  see  him,  and  had  been  preach- 
ing upon  the  subject;  the  subject  had  been  before  the  As- 
sembly several  times,  and  discussed  in  the  papers;  the 
appellant  knew  very  well  that  he  was  disregarding  the 
wishes  of  his  pastor  and  Session  and  also  running  against 
the  highest  judicatory  of  the  church;  nor  yet  was  the  of- 
fense a  private  one  but  committed  in  public.  The  Session, 
therefore,  felt  that  enough  had  already  been  said;  the  act 
though  committed  but  once,  yet  being  of  so  contumaceous 
a  character  that  they  felt  warranted  in  taking  the  step  they 
did. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     209 

The  second  ground  of  exception,  was  that  there  were 
some  things  in  the  sentence  of  the  Session,  that  were  not 
in  the  charges,  and  even  admitting  this  to  be  true,  it  would 
not  affect  the  decision  in  the  least  and  is  therefore  un- 
worthy of  notice  here. 

It  was  the  opinion  of  a  large  part  of  the  Synod  that 
the  Session  had  acted  too  hastily  in  not  first  having  tried 
milder  measures,  and  this  was  the  ground  of  the  vote  to 
sustain  in  part.  If  the  Synod  had  based  their  judgment 
solely  upon  that  ground,  instead  in  calling  in  question  the 
constitutional  authority  of  the  Assembly,  the  decision 
would  have  been  far  more  logical  and  satisfactory. 

We  have  thus  written  at  large  and  endeavored  fully 
to  present  the  subject  in  all  its  phases.  And  we  cannot 
but  express  regret  that  the  case  was  never  carried  to  the 
Assembly  for  final  adjudication,  for  as  the  matter  now 
stands  the  Assembly  has  said  one  thing  and  the  Synod 
another.  In  other  words,  the  Synod  has  given  an  interpre- 
tation contrary  to  and  in  the  face  of  that  of  the  Assembly. 
And  thus  the  matter  stands. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


EVOLUTION. 


Scarcely  had  the  cloud  passed  away  ere  another  of 
still  greater  magnitude  commenced  to  gather  in  the  dis- 
tant horizon,  and  one,  too,  destined  soon  to  sweep  over 
the  whole  land  with  its  damaging  results,  as  it  affected 
alike  the  interests  of  the  whole  Church. 

Like  a  great  mountain  cast  into  the  sea,  it  agitated  the 
surrounding  country,  not  only  Georgia,  but  the  whole 
Southern  land  and  even  reaching  Northern  shores.  It  was 
acted  upon  in  Presbyteries,  Synods,  General  Assemblies; 
discussed  in  Church  papers  and  political  journals;  talked 
of  on  the  streets,  as  a  matter  of  general  comment.  It  con- 
tinued to  agitate  the  church  for  four  years,  from  1884  to 
1888,  and  like  the  burning  fire  in  the  forest,  consuming 
every  thing  in  its  course,  the  greatest  injury  being  to  the 
Synod  of  Georgia,  and  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Co- 
lumbia, S.  C,  as  these  were  the  centres  of  the  hottest 
fires. 

To  do  justice  to  such  a  controversy  would  require  a 
full  volume  to  itself,  instead  of  a  single  chapter.    We  shall 
endeavor  to  be  as  concise  as  possible  in  pointing  out  tha 
different  acts  in  this  noted  controversy. 
ITS  BEGINNING. 

In  the  autumn  of  1857  Dr.  James  A.  Lyon,  of  Colum- 
bus, Mississippi,  introduced  the  following  resolutions  in  the 
Presbytery  of  Tombeckbee,  which  were  warmly  supported 
by  Rev.  Richard  S.  Gladney,  of  Aberdeen,  and  unanimously 
adopted,  viz: 

"Whereas,  We  live  in  an  age  in  which  the  most  insid- 
ious attacks  are  made  upon  revealed  religion  through  the 
natural  sciences;  and  as  it  behooves  the  church,  at  all 
times  to  have  men  capable  of  defending  the  faith  once  de- 
livered to  the  saints;   therefore: 

"Resolved,    That   this    Presbytery    recommend   the    en- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     211 

dowment  of  a  professorship  of  the  natural  sciences  as  con- 
nected with  revealed  religion  in  one  or  more  of  our  theo- 
logical seminaries,  and  cheerfully  recommend  our  churches 
to  contribute  their  full  proportion  of  funds  for  said  en- 
downment. 

"Resolved,  That  the  same  be  brought  before  our  Synod 
(of  Mississippi)  at  its  next  meeting  for  consideration." 

This  was  accordingly  done.  The  Synod  of  Mississippi 
unanimously  approved  the  proceeding  of  the  Presbytery 
and  "cordially  recommended  the  same  to  the  consideration 
of  the  next  General  Assembly."  Thus  it  appears  the  idea 
of  a  professorship  of  natural  sciences  originated  in  the 
Presbytery  of  Tombeckbee. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  at  Jackson- 
ville, Florida,  Dec.  2,  1859,  official  notice  was  given  through 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Seminary  that  Judge  John 
Perkins,  of  "The  Oaks,"  near  Columbus,  Mississippi,  a 
member  and  ruling  Elder  of  the  church  in  that  city,  had 
donated  to  the  Seminary  at  Columbia,  $50,000,  $30,000  of 
which  was  to  be  devoted  to  the  establishment  of  a  new 
chair  in  said  institution  on  the  connection  of  Science  with 
Revelation.  The  residue  to  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  in- 
digent young  men  in  the  Institution,  as  well  as  of  disabled 
ministers,  their  widows  and  children. 

To  this  sum  $10,000  was  afterwards  added  by  the 
Donor,  making  $60,000,  in  all. 

This  was  indeed  a  most  magnificent  gift,  and  was  thank- 
fully and  joyfully  received.  And  the  Synod  began  to  take 
steps  for  the  establishment  of  the  new  chair,  the  title  of 
which  was  to  be,  "The  Perkins  Professorship  of  Natural 
Science  in  connection  with  Revelation,  the  design  of  which 
shall  be  to  evince  the  harmony  of  science  with  the  records 
of  our  faith." 

According  to  an  agreement  with  the  other  associated 
Synods,  it  was  the  time  for  the  Synod  of  Georgia  to  elect 
the  Professor  and  the  others  to  confirm.  So  the  Synod  de- 
termined to  go  into  an  election  and  set  the  hour,  but  on  ac- 
count, of  the  great  interests  and  responsibilities  involved, 


212     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

it  was  thought  best  to  postpone  the  election  till  the  next 
regular  meeting,  which  was  done. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  next  year  at  Columbus 
(1860),  Synod  proceeded  to  elect  a  professor  to  fill  the 
chair.  There  were  four  names  put  in  nomination:  Rev. 
James  Woodrow,  professor  in  Oglethorpe  College;  Rev 
James  A.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  pastor  at  Columbus,  Miss.; Rev.  Wil- 
liam Flinn,  pastor  at  Milledgeville,  and  Prof.  A.  Guyot,  of 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  which  name  was  afterwards  withdrawn. 
Prof.  James  Woodrow  was  duly  elected,  and  his  election 
being  confirmed  by  the  other  Synods  arrangements  were 
made  for  his  inauguration.  At  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Synod,  of  Georgia,  at  Marietta,  Nov.  22,  1861,  Dr.  Wood- 
row  delivered  his  inaugural  address,  in  which  he  outlined 
the  methods  and  subjects  of  his  teaching. 

After  pointing  out  the  method  by  which  the  design 
of  the  chair  could  be  met  in  instances  where  there  was  no 
antagonism,  he  proceeds  to  show  the  method  where  there 
was  asserted  antagonism,  as  in  the  length  of  the  Mosaic 
days,  the  Scriptures  asserting  as  usually  believed  ordi- 
nary days,  but  science  indefinite  periods;  the  first  begin- 
ning of  death;  the  Scriptures  teaching  that  there  was  no 
death  before  the  Fall;  science  on  the  other  hand  claiming 
that  death  of  lower  animals,  at  least  existed  before  that 
event;  then  as  to  the  extent  of  the  flood;  the  Scriptures 
teaching  its  universality;  science  that  it  was  only  partial; 
that  in  cases  of  this  kind,  as  it  was  impossible  for  him 
to  conceive  of  a  proposition  being  Theologically  true  but 
scientifically  false,  the  difficulty  would  be  either  with  the 
facts  of  science  or  the  interpretation  of  Scripture,  the 
work  of  the  professor  would  be  to  acquaint  himself  with 
the  facts  of  the  one  and  also  to  see  that  the  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Scriptures  be  correct  and  thus  remove  the 
seeming  antagonism,  but  that  in  either  and  every  case,  the 
authority  of  the  Scriptures  was  never  to  be  called  in  ques- 
tion, its  authority  being  supreme. 

In  that  inaugural  there  was  no  mention  made  of  Evo- 
lution, as  that  subject  was  yet  hardly  before  the  public. 
It  was  not  till  after  this  that  the  views  of  Darwin  and  Hux- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     213 

ley  became  generally  known.  After  the  publication  of  their 
Works,  and  their  views  were  known  they  were  discussed 
in  the  public  Journals.  Dr.  Woodrow  found  it  necessary 
to  discuss  them  before  his  classes.  It  therefore  became 
desirable  to  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Seminary  and  also  highly  proper  that  they  should  know 
the  views  of  the  Professor  of  Natural  Science  on  that  sub- 
ject and  the  character  of  his  teaching  to  his  classes. 

Hence  we  find  the  following  resolutions  adopted  at 
their  meeting  in  May,  1883. 

"Whereas,  "This  Seminary  is  'the  only  one  in  our 
Southern  Church,  that  has  the  Chair  of  Natural  Science  in 
connection  with  Revelation;  and 

"Whereas,  during  the  senior  year,  the  questions  of 
the  unity  and  antiquity  of  the  human  race  are  fully  exam- 
ined; and 

"Whereas,  Skepticism  in  the  world  is  using  alleged  dis- 
coveries in  science  to  impugn  the  Word  of  God; 

"Therefore,  be  it  resolved,  that  this  Board  request 
Prof.  Dr.  James  Woodrow  to  give  fully  his  views,  as  taught 
in  this  Institution  upon  Evolution  as  it  respects  the  world, 
the  lower  animals  and  man,  in  the  October  number  of  the 
Southern  Presbyterian  Review,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as 
possible."   (Min.  of  Board). 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Board  the  next  year  (1884,) 
May  6th,  a  communication  was  received  from  Dr.  Wood- 
row,  stating  that  "it  had  been  impossible  for  him  to  pre- 
pare the  article  requested  by  the  Board  for  the  October 
number  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Review,  but  that 
he  would  deliver  an  address  that  night  before  the 
Alumni,  in  which  he  would  present  the  views  and  teach- 
ings asked."  The  Board  regarded  the  statement  as  satis- 
factory, and  requested  the  publication  of  the  teachings  in 
the  aforesaid  Review. 

The  address  was  delivered  as  promised,  and  afterwards 
published  in  pamphlet,  and  also  in  the  Review. 

In  that  address  he  said  "There  would  seem  to  be  no 
ground  for  attributing  a  different  origin  to  man's  body 
from  that  which  would  be  attributed  to  animals.     If  the 


214     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

existing  animal  species  were  immediately  created,  so  was 
man;  if  they  were  derived  from  ancestors  unlike  them- 
selves, so  may  man  have  been.  The  soul  of  Adam  he  be- 
lieved to  be  immediately  created.  In  the  case  of  Eve, 
however,  he  saw  "insurmountable  obstacles  in  the  way  of 
fully  applying  the  doctrine  of  descent." 

The  Board  met  again  in  Sept.  16  of  the  same  year.  The 
following  communication  was  received  from  Dr.  Wood- 
row: 

"In  the  autumn  of  1882  your  report  to  the  Synod  con- 
tained certain  expressions  touching  Evolution  which  led 
me  to  regard  it  as  my  duty  to  take  the  earliest  possible 
opportunity  to  call  your  attention  specially  to  my  in- 
structions on  that  subject  in  the  class  room,  although  I  had 
already  frequently  done  so  at  the  successive  examinations. 
Accordingly  at  your  next  meting  in  May,  1883,  I  laid  be- 
fore you  a  brief  statement  as  to  the  views  held  and  taught 
by  me.  Thereupon,  after  receiving  the  brief  statement 
that  Evolution  does  not  contradict  the  sacred  Scriptures, 
you  did  me  the  honor  to  request  me  to  give  my  views  more 
fully  on  this  topic  and  publish  them  in  the  Southern  Pres- 
byterian Review,  since  "scepticism  in  the  world  is  using 
alleged  discoveries  in  science  to  impugn  the  word  of  God." 
I  have  acceded  to  your  request,  and  beg  leave  now  to  sub- 
mit to  you  a  copy  of  the  article  I  have  published  in  accord- 
ance with  it." 

After  a  long  and  thorough  discussion  of  the  matter, 
Rev.  A.  W.  Clisby  offered  the  following  paper: 

"Whereas,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Seminary,  at 
its  meeting  in  May,  1883,  requested  the  Perkins  Professor 
of  Natural  Science  in  connection  with  Revelation,  to  give 
fully  his  views  as  taught  in  the  Seminary  upon  Evolution 
as  it  respects  the  world,  lower  animals  and  man.  In  com- 
pliance with  this  request  he  delivered  an  address  before 
the  Alumni  Association,  in  the  presence  of  the  Board  in 
May,  1884,  and  published  it  in  the  Southern  Presbyterian 
Review  of  July  following: 

"Whereas,  Both  this  action  of  the  Board  and  said  ad 
dress  have  been  made  the  subject  of  much  discussion  in 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     215 

our  religious  papers,  the  Board  deems  it  proper  to  make  the 
following  statement  to  the  Synods  controlling  the  Semi- 
nary for  their  information  and  that  of  our  whole  church: 

1.  This  Board  is  in  fullest  sympathy  with  the  godly 
jealousy  of  the  church  for  the  infallible  truths  of,  and 
absolute  inerrancy  of,  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New- 
Testaments  as  God's  word  to  man,  and  we  rejoice  in  the 
full  confirmation  by  Dr.  Woodrow  of  our  conviction  that 
he  stands  immovably  with  us  with  said  position. 

2.  In  making  our  request  upon  Dr.  Woodrow,  the 
Board  was  not  actuated  by  any  suspicion  of  his  soundness 
in  the  faith,  but  having  heard  that  to  some  extent  such 
suspicion  had  arisen  in  some  parts  of  our  church,  and 
knowing  that  scepticism  was  using  some  forms  of  the  the- 
ory of  Evolution  for  assailing  the  Word  of  God,  we  judged 
the  occasion  opportune  for  securing  an  exposition  of  the 
whole  subject  in  its  relation  to  Revelation  from  one 
thoroughly  acquainted  both  with  it  and  the  Scriptures  of 
truth  which  might  be  greatly  useful  in  imparting  needed 
information  to  the  church  and  allaying  groundless  alarm 
on  account  of  the  boasting  of  unbelief. 

3.  In  our  use  of  the  words,  "as  taught  in  the  Semi- 
nary," the  Board  was  fully  aware  of  the  difference  of 
meaning  in  the  phrase  "teaching  science"  as  applied  to 
secular  institutions  of  learning  on  the  one  hand  and  Theo- 
logical Seminaries,  on  the  other.  We  were  mindful,  that 
in  the  College,  human  science  is  taught  for  its  own 
sake,  as  truth  discovered  by  man  concerning  the  works  of 
God.  In  this  sense  it  is  merely  stated  or  described,  in  its 
alleged  facts  and  principles,  for  the  purpose  of  inquiring  in- 
to its  relations  to  the  Word  of  God.  The  college  teaches 
it  as  truth  to  enlarge  knowledge.  The  Seminary  men- 
tions it  as  current  among  men,  and  inquires  whether  its 
claims  are  consistent  with  the  teaching  of  Scripture.  If 
contradictory,  then  the  Seminary  pronounces  it  ipso  facto 
false,  if  not  contradictory,  leaves  it  to  stand  or  fall  on  its 
own  merits  without  further  concern  about  it. 

Holding  this  view  and  convinced  that  Dr.  Woodrow 
held  the  same,  The  Board  is  gratified  to  have  this  convic- 


216     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

tion  confirmed,  both  in  his  address  and  reply  to  criticisms 
thereon,  and  to  have  his  explicit  assertion  that  wherever 
Scripture  makes  definite  statements  in  any  branch  ot 
Natural  Science,  or  in  matters  in  the  alleged  range  of  such 
science,  these  statements  are  the  standards  of  appeal  and 
the  end  of  Controversy.  In  connection,  therefore,  with  his 
phrase,  "teaching  science"  we  call  upon  all  concerned, 
to  note  that  no  theory  of  Evolution  or  of  any  other  human 
science  is  dogmatically  taught  in  the  Seminary,  but  only 
the  relation  to  the  Word  of  God,  of  what  men  call  science. 
With  regard  to  the  mode  of  creation  of  Adam,  proposed 
by  Dr.  Woodrow  as  probably  true,  since  he  advances  it 
only  as  an  hypothesis  tentatively  adopted  by  himself,  nor 
contradicted  by  any  express  statement  of  the  word  of  God, 
and  does  not  dogmatically  teach,  or  even  hold  it,  while  far 
from  yielding  our  assent  to  it,  the  Board  sees  no  reason  to 
approve  or  condemn  it  officially. 

4.  This  Board  heartily  acknowledges  the  great  and 
timely  service  done  by  Dr.  Woodrow  to  the  church  in  his 
address  in  calling  attention  to  the  duty  and  necessity  of 
affirming  as  a  matter  of  faith  only  what  a  candid  and  crit- 
ical study  of  the  Word  of  God  shows  him  to  declare  either 
in  express  terms  or  by  good  and  necessary  consequence. 
Sad  and  guilty  experience  in  the  past  aboundantly  con- 
firm this  admonition,  and  we  cordially  congratulate  the 
controlling  Synods  on  our  possession  of  one  able  and  will- 
ing to  remind  us  of  this  duty  with  courageous  fidelity  as 
well  as  ability  and  wisdom. 

5.  This  Board  accepts  with  unfeigned  confidence  Dr. 
Woodrow's  full  and  explicit  reaffirmation  of  his  hearty  ad- 
herence to  the  whole  Word  of  God  as  the  only  rule  of  faith 
and  practce,  and  of  our  standards  as  setting  forth  the  sys- 
tem of  doctrine  contained  therein;  and  we  bespeak  for  him 
like  confidence  from  the  church.  Praying  that  he  may 
long  be  spared  to  serve  it  faithfully  as  hitherto  and  now 
especially  in  instructing  its  candidates  for  the  ministry. 

6.  In  conclusion,  we  congratulate  the  Synods  and  the 
church  land  render  thanks  to  God  that  the  Seminary 
opens  with  an  increase  of  students  over  the  number  in  at- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     217 

tendance  last  year,  and  the  promise  of  a  very  notable  ad- 
vance in  this  respect." 

For  this  paper  of  Dr.  Clisby,  Dr.  Stacy  offered  the  fol- 
lowing substitute,  which  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  8  to  3,  as 
follows: 

Ayes— James  Stacy,  J.  B.  Mack,  Geo.  W.  Scott.   (3) 

Noes— A.  W.  Clisby,  T.  H.  Law,  W.  J.  McKay,  W.  A. 
Clark,  T.  B.  Frazer,  C.  A.  Stillman,  J.  W.  Lapsley,  A.  D. 
Curry.  (8) 

"Whereas,  in  the  July  number  of  the  Southern  Pres- 
byterian Review,  Prof.  James  Woodrow,  in  giving  his 
views  as  taught  in  this  Institution  upon  Evolution,  "does 
affirm  that  evolution  is  God's  plan  of  creation,  and  that 
the  body  of  Adam  was  probably  evolved  from  lower  ani- 
mals," therefore  be  it  resolved: 

1.  That  this  Board  regards  the  teaching  of  the  un- 
proved hypothesis  of  Evolution  as  improper,  especially  as 
it  changes  the  received  interpretation  of  many  passages 
of  Scripture. 

2.  That  this  Board  regards  the  view  that  the  body  of 
Adam  was  evolved  from  lower  animals,  as  contrary  to  our 
standards  as  understood  by  those  wao  made  them,  by  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  by  our  Assembly  when  it  en- 
dorsed them  in  1861  in  Augusta,  Ga. 

3.  That  this  Board  enjoins  upon  Dr.  Woodrow  not  to 
teach  these  views  in  this  institution." 

Rev.  W.  J.  McKay  then  offered  the  following  paper 
as  a  substittue  for  that  of  Dr.  Clisby,  which  was  adopted 
by  the  same  vote  of  8  to  3,  names  reversed. 

"The  Board  having  carefully  considered  the  address  of 
Dr.  Woodrow  published  in  pursuance  of  its  request,  adopts 
the  following  minute: 

"Resolved,  1st  that  the  Board  does  hereby  tender  to 
Dr.  Woodrow  its  thanks  for  the  ability  and  faithfulness 
with  which  he  has  complied  with  its  request. 

2nd.  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Board  "The  rela- 
tions subsisting  between  the  teachings  of  natural  science 
and  the  teachings  of  Scripture,"  are  plainly,  correctly  and 
satisfactorily  set  forth  in  said  address. 


218     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

3rd.  That  while  the  Board  is  not  prepared  to  concur 
in  the  view  expressed  by  Dr.  Woodrow,  as  to  the  probable 
method  of  the  creation  of  Adams'  body,  yet  in  the  judg 
ment  of  this  Board,  there  is  nothing  in  the  doctrine  of  Evo- 
lution, as  defined  and  limited  by  him,  which  appears  in 
consistent  with  perfect  soundness  in  the  faith. 

4th.  That  the  Board  takes  this  occasion  to  record  it-? 
deep  and  ever  growing  sense  of  the  wisdom  of  our  Synods 
m  the  establishment  of  the  "Perkins  Professorship  of  Nat* 
ural  Science  in  connection  with  Revelation."  And  of  the 
importance  of  such  instruction  as  is  thereby  afforded,  that 
our  ministry  may  be  the  better  prepared  to  resist  the  ob- 
jections of  the  infidel  scientists  and  defend  the  Scriptures 
against  their  insidious  charges." 

The  following  protest  was  admitted  to  record: 

"The  undersigned  respectfully  request  to  enter  their 
solemn  protest  against  the  action  of  the  Board,  in  refusing 
to  enjoin  upon  Rev.  James  Woodrow  not  to  teach  that  evo- 
lution is  God's  plan  of  creation  and  that  the  body  of 
Adam  was  probably  evolved  from  lower  animals,  which 
things  are  afiirmed  in  an  address  delivered  by  him,  and 
published  in  accordance  with  a  request  made  by  this 
Board,  that  he  would  give  fully  his  views  as  taught  in  this 
Institution,  upon  Evolution. 

We  Protest  for  the  following  reasons: 

1.  Evolution  is  an  unproved  hypothesis. 

2.  Belief  in  Evolution  changes  the  interpretation  of 
many  passages  of  Scripture  from  that  now  received  by  the 
church. 

3.  The  view  that  Adam's  body  was  evolved  from  low- 
er animals  and  not  formed  by  a  supernatural  act  of  God, 
is  dangerous  and  hurtful. 

4.  The  theory  that  the  body  of  Adam  was  formed  by 
the  law  of  evolution,  while  Eve's  was  created  by  a  super- 
natural act  of  God,  is  contrary  to  our  standards  (Conf. 
Faith,  Ch.  Iv.  Sect.  2-17),  as  those  standards  have  been  and 
are  interpreted  by  our  church. 

'^.  The  advocacy  of  views  which  have  received  neltli- 
er  the  endorsement  of  the  Board  nor  of  the  Synods  having 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     219 

control  of  the  Seminary,  which  have  not  been  established 
by  science;  which  have  no  authority  from  the  word  of  God; 
which  tend  to  unsettle  the  received  interpretation  of  many 
passages  of  Scripture,  and  to  weaken  the  confidence  of  tho 
church  in  her  standards;  which  have  already  produced  so 
much  evil  by  their  agitation;  and  which  will  injure  th« 
Seminary,  and  may  rend  our  church;  ought  not  to  be  a.] 
lowed.  " 

JAMES  STACY. 
J.  B.  MACK. 
GEO.  W.  SCOTT. 

The  four  associated  Synods,  soon  to  meet,  were  duly 
informed  of  the  action  of  the  Board.  The  Synod  of  South 
Carlina  was  the  first  to  meet.  They  met  at  Greenville, 
Oct.  22,  1884.  The  Committee  on  the  Seminary  were  di- 
vided bringing  in  both  a  majority  and  a  minority  report. 
These  reports  covered  very  much  the  same  ground  as  oc- 
cupied by  the  different  members  of  the  Board  at  their 
meeting,  the  substance  of  the  majority  report  b-eing,  that 
they  saw  no  necessity  for  interfering  with  the  action  of 
the  Board  inasmuch  as  evolution  was  not  taught  in  the 
Seminary  as  a  science,  but  simply  in  an  expository  man- 
ner. The  minority  reported,  substantially  that  as  the 
theory  contradicted  the  interpretations  of  the  Bible  by  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  action  of  the  Board  should  b« 
reversed,  and  the  further  teaching  of  the  theory  be  pro- 
hibited. After  a  lengthy  discussion,  running  through  sev- 
eral days,  both  these  reports  were  rejected,  by  the  same 
vote  of  52  to  44. 

The  following  was  offered: 

"In  as  much  as  Dr.  Woodrow  maintains  that  he  doei 
not  teach  the  Evolution  hypothesis,  as  set  forth  by  him  in 
his  address,  in  the  sense  of  inculcating  it,  and  as  he  does 
not  set  it  forth  as  a  demonstrated  truth. 

"Resolved,  By  this  Synod,  that  with  this  limitation,  as 
set  forth  by  him,  they  do  riot  see  that  he  transcends  the 
duties  of  his  chair." 

The  following  substitute  was  then  offered  and  adopted: 

"Resolved,   That   in  the  judgment   of  this   Synod   the 


220     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

teaching  of  Evolution  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  at  Co- 
lumbia, except  in  a  purely  expository  manner,  with  no  in* 
tention  of  inculcating  its  truth,  is  hereby  disapproved." 

This  resolution  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  50  to  45,  and 
was  the  final  action  of  the  Synod. 

The  Synod  of  Georgia  met  the  following  week, 
October  29,  at  Marietta.  In  addition  to  the  report  of  the 
Board,  the  Synod  had  before  it  an  overture  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Atlanta,  asking  Synod  to  express  its  disappro- 
bation of  the  teaching  of  Evolution  in  the  Seminary,  and 
to  "take  whatever  steps  be  necessary  to  prevent  it." 

As  in  the  case  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina,  there 
were  two  reports,  a  majority  and  a  minority  report, 
MAJORITY  REPORT. 
"In  reference  to  the  subject  of  Evolution,  brought  to 
the  attention  of  the  committee  in  the  report  of  the  direc- 
tors of  Columbia  Theological  Seminary,  and  by  the  over- 
ture of  the  Atlanta  Presbytery,  the  majority  of  the  com- 
mittee on  Columbia  Seminary  respectfully  recommend  for 
the  adoption  of  the  Synod  the  following  resolutins: 

1.  "The  action  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Columbia 
Theological  Seminary,  in  permitting  the  teaching  of  Evolu- 
tion, as  contained  in  Dr.  Woodrow's  address  be  disap- 
proved. 

1.  "The  action  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Columbia 
should  be  taught  in  that  Seminary;  and  hereby,  as  one  of 
the  controlling  Synods  of  that  Seminary,  directs  the 
Board  to  take  whatever  steps  may  be  necessary  to  pre- 
vent it. 

G.  B.  STRICKLER, 
J.  L.  ROGERS, 
A.  G.  JOHNSON, 
R.   F.   TAYLOR, 
P.  L.  MYNATT, 
K.  L.  TURK, 
M.   A.    CANDLER. 
MINORITY  REPORT. 
"Resolved,  1.     That  inasmuch  as  the  hypothesis  of  ev- 
olution concerning  the  earth,  the  lower  animals  and  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     221 

body  of  man,  as  advanced  by  the  Professor  of  Natural 
Science  in  connection  with  Revelation  is  a  purely  scientifir 
and  extra  Scriptural  hypothesis,  the  church  as  such  is  not 
called  upon  to  make  any  deliverance  concerning  its  truth 
or  falsity. 

2.  That  in  view  of  the  deep  interest  in  this  matter 
experienced  by  all,  and  the  fears  experienced  by  some  lest 
this  doctrine  of  evolution  should  become  an  article  of 
church  faith,  the  Synod  deems  it  expedient  to  say,  that  the 
church  being  set  for  the  defence  of  the  Gospel  and  the 
promulgation  of  Scriptural  doctrines,  can  never,  without 
transcending  her  proper  sphere,  incorporate  into  our  Con- 
fession of  Faith  any  of  the  hypotheses,  theories  or  sys- 
tems of  human  science. 

3.  That  while  the  presentation  of  the  hypothesis  of 
evolution  in  relation  to  Scripture  falls  necessarily  within 
the  scope  of  the  duties  pertaining  to  the  Perkins  Profes- 
sorship, nevertheless  neither  this  nor  any  other  scientific 
Hypothesis  is,  or  can  be  taught  in  our  Theological  Semi- 
nary as  an  article  of  church  faith.  But  we  see  no  objection 
to  its  being  demonstrated,  as  it  has  been  done  by  Profes- 
sor Woodrow,  that  the  hypothesis  of  evolution  as  defined 
by  him  is  not  contradictory  of  the  teachings  of  the  word  of 
God. 

4.  That  in  view  of  the  above  considerations,  the 
Synod  sees  no  sufficient  reason  to  interfere  with  the  pres- 
ent order  of  our  Theological  Seminary,  as  determined  by 
the  Board  of  Directors. 

CLIFFORD    ANDERSON, 
T.   D.    BREWSTER, 
DONALD    McQUEEN, 
A.  M.  HASSELL." 
The  majority  report  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  ayes  60, 
noes  21. 

A  protest  was  then  offered  signed  by  ten  of  the  mem- 
bers, which  was  allowed  to  go  on  record.  The  grounds  of 
the  protest  were  threefold.  (1)  That  this  action  defeats 
the  very  purpose  for  which  the  Perkins  chair  was  estab- 
lished.  (2.)   That  it  was  in  violation  of     the     constitution 


222     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

of  the  Seminary,  inasmuch  as  Synod  undertakes  to  control 
the  action  of  the  Board  in  matters  entrusted  to  it  by  the 
Constitution.  (3)  That  it  was  a  virtual  condemnation  of 
the  Perkins  Professor  without  according  him  a  trial  by  the 
Board,  as  provided  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Seminary. 

To  this  reply  was  made  by  the  Committee  in 
which  th€y  affirm:  (1)  That  Synod  does  not  pro- 
pose to  prevent  the  teaching  of  science  in  Colum- 
bia Seminary,  but  only  the  teaching  of  evolution  as  con- 
tained in  the  address  of  Professor  Woodrow.  (2)  That 
the  action  was  not  unconstitutional,  as  the  Constitution 
accords  the  Synod  the  power  of  controlling  the  Seminary 
through  the  Board.  (3)  That  its  action  has  particular 
reference  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  that  the  condem- 
nation of  Professor  Woodrow  was  only  incidental,  which 
is  inevitable  whenever  one's  views  are  condemned. 

The  vote  on  the  above  is  as  follows: 

Ayes — Ministers:  G.  H.  Cartledge,  A.  G.  Peden,  James 
Stacy,  Henry  Quigg,  J.  N.  Bradshaw,  D.  Eraser,  J.  L.  Rog- 
ers, W.  T.  Hollingsworth,  G.  B.  Strickler,  E.  H.  Barnett,  J. 
T.  Bruce,  J.  H.  Alexander,  Z.  B.  Graves,  J.  E.  DuBose,  John 
Jones,  W.  Adams,  N.  Keff  Smith,  T.  C.  Crawford,  J.  M.  M, 
Caldwell,  R.  F.  Taylor,  L.  A.  Simpson,  W.  McKay,  K.  P. 
Julian,  J.  L.  King,  J.  J.  Robinson,  G.  T.  Chandler,  J.  S 
Hillhouse,  C.  W.  Lane,  T.  P.  Cleveland.— 29. 

Ayes— Elders:  S.  C.  Groves,  T.  E.  Fell,  W.  L.  Peek, 
J.  W.  Hollingsworth,  E.  Huie,  G.  C.  Crookshanks,  T.  L 
Russell,  W.  M.  Lowry,  Samuel  Pharr,  R.  A.  Saye,  J.  A. 
Nisbet,  J.  H.  Logan,  E.  P.  Ellis,  W.  G.  Wigley,  T.  E.  Ken- 
drick,  Josiah  Sibley,  H.  H.  Logan,  W.  C.  Keheley,  Edward 
Bailey,  J.  T.  Owen,  W.  K.  Moore,  James  Pritchard,  Frank 
White,  M.  A.  Candler,  D.  A.  Thompson,  P.  L.  Mynatt,  J.  B. 
Estes,  W.  C.  Sibley,  A.  W.  Blake,  A.  H  Sneed,  G€0.  L.  Car- 
son.—31.    Total  60. 

Noes— Ministers:  J.  C.  Grow,  M.  McN.  McKay,  G.  T. 
Goetchius,  D.  McQueen,  A.  M.  Hassell,  J.  W.  Baker,  D.  L. 
Buttolph,  A.  W.  Gaston,  W.  A.  Milner,  J.  B.  Hillhouse,  R.  F. 
Bunting,  A.  W.  Clisby,  J.  E.  Jones,  W.  E.  Boggs. — 14. 

Noes — Elders:     R.  L.  Hunter,  J.  W.  Bones,  P.  R.  Cor- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     223 

telyou,  J.  F.  Brewster,  Clifford  Anderson,  C.  N.  Alexander, 
J.  W.  Fleming.— 7.     Total  21. 

Rev.  Messrs.  McKay  and  Gaston  qualified  their  votes 
with  the  statement  that  they  were  alike  opposed  to  both 
reports. 

The  debate  occupied  most  of  the  time  of  the  Synod. 
Though  with  much  earnestness,  the  language  was  cour- 
teous and  respectful.  Dr.  Woodrow  opened  the  discussion 
on  Thursday  evening,  consuming  the  whole  evening  and 
concluded  on  Friday  morning,  speaking  about  7  hours  in 
all.  He  was  followed  by  Dr.  Strickler  who  spoke  in  de- 
fense of  the  Majority  report.  Dr.  Boggs  continued  the  de- 
bate, arguing  against,  followed  by  Dr.  Rogers  who  spoke 
in  favor  of  said  report,  followed  by  Dr.  Adams  in  favor 
of,  and  Col.  Anderson  against,  and  Col.  Mynatt  in  favor  of 
the  report.  Rev.  A.  W.  Clisby  then  spoke  m  defense  of  the 
Board.  Dr.  Strickler  then  concluded  the  discussion,  being 
Chairman  of  the  Committee.  Dr.  Woodrow  declined  speak- 
ing any  further,  as  the  time  had  been  restricted  to  one 
hour,  which  he  said  was  too  brief  for  his  defense,  as  he 
felt  that  he  was  virtually  on  trial. 

The  debate  closed  on  Saturday  night,  w^hen  the  vote 
was  taken.  Many  others  of  the  members  went  prepared 
to  take  part  in  the  discussion,  but  were  barred  by  short- 
ness of  time.  Indeed  if  no  limit  had  been  set  to  speeches 
and  time  it  is  impossible  to  tell  how  many  more  days  would 
have  been  consumed. 

SYNOD  OF  ALABAMA. 
The  Synod  of  Alabama  was  in  session  at  Tuscaloosa  at 
the  same  time  with  that  of  Georgia.  There  was  likewise 
division  in  that  body.  Two  reports  were  brought  in  by 
the  Committee,  signed  by  four  members  each,  the  com- 
mittee being  equally  divided.  The  first  report  simply 
disapproved  the  teaching  of  evolution  except  purely  in  an 
expository  manner.  The  second  both  disapproved  the 
teaching  of  evolution,  and  also  instructed  the  Board  to 
take  steps  to  prevent  its  being  taught  in  the  Seminary. 
This  latter  report,  which  was  substantially  the  action  of 


224     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  Georgia  Synod,  was     adopted     by  a  vote     of  ayes  41, 
noes  19. 

SYNOD  OF  SOUTH  GEORGIA  AND  FLORIDA. 

The  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida,  the  remain- 
ing one  of  the  four  controlling  Synods,  met  at  Leesbvirg 
a  month  later,  Nov.  27th.  There  were  three  reports 
brought  in  before  that  Synod.  The  first,  a  majority  re- 
port, signed  by  Messrs.  J.  W.  Rogan,  Jas.  W.  Shearer,  W. 
H.  Crane  and  Ruling  Elder  S.  Thompson,  condemning  the 
teaching,  and  instructing  the  directors  to  unite  with  the 
others  in  preventing  its  further  being  taught.  The  sec- 
ond, signed  by  Elders  Angus  Patterson  and  E.  P.  Miller, 
stating  that  as  they  could  see  no  conflict  with  he  teach- 
ing of  Scripture  they  could  see  no  reason  for  any  inter- 
ference. The  third,  was  offered  by  Rev.  Gilbert  Gordon, 
in  which  he  dissented  from  the  majority  report  and  pro- 
posed to  abolish  the  professorship  inasmuch  as  it  proposes 
to  shackle  and  restrain  the  Professor  in  the  utterance  of 
his  convictions  in  a  manner  and  to  a  degree  that  would 
render  his  scientific  investigations  worthless;  and  that 
the  church  must  either  dictate  the  findings  and  utterances 
of  science,  or  abdicate  her  just  authority,  so  far  as  that 
chair  is  concerned  and  therefore  that  a  complete  reorgan- 
ization if  not  abolition  of  that  Professorship,  seems  to  be 
called  for  as  the  only  possible  solution  of  the  difficulty. 

The  majority  report  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  ayes,  22; 
noes,  13. 

After  the  taking  of  the  vote.  Dr.  W.  H.  Dodge  offered 
a  resolution  requesting  the  Board  to  settle  the  matter  by 
regular  judicial  action;  which  was,  however,  rejected. 

A  protest  was  then  entered  signed  by  twelve  of  the 
members  and  on  the  grounds,  (1)  That  the  Synod,  in  de- 
claring that  evolution  was  an  unproved  hypothesis,  was  it- 
self passing  judgment  upon  a  scientific  question.  (2)  Be- 
cause the  action  taken  was  a  virtual  condemnation  of  the 
professor  without  a  trial.  (3)  Because  it  makes  the 
opinion  of  a  majority,  no  matter  how  small,  the  rule  of 
teaching  in  the  Seminary. 

Dr.  Woodrow  opened  the  debate  on  Friday  afternoon 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     225 

and  spoke  two  hours,  Rev.  J.  W.  Rogan  replying.  The 
debate  was  continued  till  Saturday  afternoon  by  Revs. 
Messrs.  Anderson,  Curry,  Mack,  Dodge,  Helm,  ..hearer. 
Kerr,  Johnson;  and  Elders  Campbell,  Montgomery  and  Pat- 
terson. The  discussion  closed  with  another  speech  from 
Dr.  Woodrow  of  three  hours,  and  a  short  rejoinder  by  Rev 
J.  W.  Rogan,  chairman  of  the  Committee;  the  whole  time 
being  12  hours,  nine  of  which  was  consumed  by  the  evolu- 
tionists; and  the  remaining  three  hours  by  the  other  side. 
(Christian  Observer). 

OTHER  SYNODS. 

The  agitation  was  not  conhned  to  the  controlling 
Snyods,  but  extended  to  others  that  were  without. 

The  Synod  of  Mississippi  expressed  itself  as  unwilling 
that  such  an  unproved  hypothesis  should  assume  to  con- 
trol the  interpretation  of  the  Word.  So  the  Synods  of 
Kentucky,  Nashville,  Memphis,  Arkansas  and  Texas,  all 
condemned  the  theory  and  its  further  promulgation. 

The  Synod  of  Nashville  went  so  far  as  to  say, 
that  unless  the  teaching  should  be  prohibited  immediate 
steps  would  be  taken  to  secure  the  withdrawal  of  their 
candidates  from  the  institution. 

MEETING  OF  THE  BOARD. 

Under  the  circumstances,  therefore,  it  seemed  obvi- 
ous that  something  should  be  done  and  at  once  to  prevent 
further  hurt  to  the  Seminary,  as  well  as  to  carry  out  the 
instructions  of  the  controlling  Synods.  A  call  signed  by 
Messrs.  Stacy  and  Scott,  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  and 
Mack,  of  Carolina,  was  sent  to  the  President  asking  him  to 
convene  the  Board,  which  he  did,  on  the  10th  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1884.  There  were  thirteen  members  present, 
five  of  whom  were  new.  These  new  members  changed  the 
complexion  of  the  Board,  as  they  were  chosen  since  the 
agitation,  and  by  Synods  which  had  spoken  out  against 
this  probable  theory  of  Dr.  Woodrow.  One  of  these  new 
members  was  Dr.  Adams,  of  Augusta,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Synod  of  Georgia  to  fill  the  place  of  Rev. 
A.  W.  Clisby,  who  had  been  displaced  by  the  Synod.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  Synod  at  Marietta,  Dr.  Clisby  having 


226     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

refused  to  comply  with  the  instruction  of  the  Synod  to 
take  steps  for  the  prohibition  of  the  further  "eaching  of 
Evolution,  and  would  only  promise  a  respectful  considera- 
tion of  the  action  and  wishes  of  Synod,  his  commission 
was  withdrawn,  and  Dr.  Adams  substituted  in  his  place. 
When,  therefore,  Dr.  Adams  presented  his  credentials  two 
of  the  members  objected  to  his  being  seated.  Dr.  Clisby 
also  sent  a  communication  claiming  the  right  to  his  seat, 
and  asserting  that  the  Synod  had  exercised  an  unconsti- 
tutional authority  in  his  removal.  Dr.  Adams  was,  how- 
ever, seated,  and  upon  his  admission  a  protest  was  enter- 
ed by  Rev.  Messrs.  Eraser,  Law  and  McKay. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  the  business  before  them.  The 
following  paper  was  introduced  and  adopted  by  a  vote  of 
8  to  4: 

"Wheras  the  Synods  of  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  South 
Georgia  and  Florida,  have  disapproved  of  the  views  of 
Priof.  James  Woodrow  on  the  subject  of  Evolution  as  con- 
tained in  the  address  submitted  by  him  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  in  response  to  their  request,  for  him  to  give  fully 
his  views  as  taught  in  this  Institution,  and  have  also  in- 
structed the  Directors  to  take  steps  to  prevent  the  teach- 
of  such  views  in  their  Seminary;  and  Whereas,  the  Synod 
of  South  Carolina  has  disapproved  of  the  teaching  of  evo- 
lution except  in  a  purely  expository  way,  without  intention 
of  inculcating  its  truth;  and  Whereas,  he  has  publicly 
announced,  that  if  he  continues  to  be  their  Professor,  he 
will  hereafter  t^ach  as  probably  true,  the  hypothesis  of 
evolution;  and  Whereas  he  is  thus  disqualified  from  re- 
maining as  a  Profesior  in  their  Seminary,  and  thereby  ren- 
dered incompetent  to  discharge  duties  in  which  he  speaks 
in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  these  Synods;  there- 
fore be  it 

Resolved,  That  this  Bo^rd,  in  obedience  to  the  above 
instructions  appoint  a  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs. 
Stacy,  Webb  and  Sibley,  to  wait  on  Dr.  Woodrow,  and  ask 
for  his  resignation." 

The  committee  waited  upon  Dr.  Woodrow.  The  Board 
received  the  following  answer,  that  afternoon: 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     227 

Gentlemen:  I  have  received  by  the  hand  of  your  com- 
mittee, the  preamble  and  resolution  adopted  by  you,  in 
which  you  ask  for  my  resignation  as  Professor  in  the 
Seminary. 

I  have  no  desire  to  teach  in  the  name  and  by  the  au- 
thority of  the  Synods  which  control  the  Seminary,  since 
they  have  expressed  dis'approbation  of  my  views,  yet  I  am 
constrained  respectfully  to  decline  to  offer  my  resignation 
for  the  reason  I  would  thereby  acquiesce  in,  and  so  to 
some  extent  recognize,  the  justice  and  righteousness  of 
the  action  of  the  Synods  on  which  you  base  yoxir  request, 
and  which  I  regard  as  illegal  in  form  and  incorrect  in  fact. 

The  resolutions  of  three  of  the  Synods  to  which  you  re- 
fer, condemn  with  greater  or  less  clearness,  my  teachings 
as  unscriptural,  and  contrary  to  our  standards;  and  this 
condemnation  has  been  expressed  without  judicial  inves- 
tigation, by  which  alone  such  matters  can  be  authoritative- 
ly determined. 

I  hold,  on  the  other  hand,  that  my  teachings,  so  far  as 
they  are  expositions  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  accord  per- 
fectly in  every  particular  with  the  teachings  of  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  and  so  far  as  they  relate 
to  natural  science,  do  not  on  any  point  contradict  the 
sacred  Scriptures  as  interpreted  in  our  standards. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  I  respectfully  ask  that  you  pro- 
ceed to  determine  the  questions  as  to  my  alleged  incom 
petence,  and  unfaithfulness  in  teaching  what  is  contrary 
to  the  sacred  scriptures,  as  interpreted  in  our  standards, 
by  a  full  trial  as  is  provided  in  the  constitution  of  the  Sem- 
inary, section  2,  article  2.      Yours  very  respectfully, 

JAMES  WOODROW. 

The  following  paper  was  then  offered: 

"Inasmuch  as  the  Perkins  Professor  has  already  had 
a  full  hearing  in  person  before  three  of  the  Synods,  and 
through  his  friends  and  advocates  before  the  fourth  Synod, 
and  inasmuch  as  these  Synods  have  already  condemned 
his  views  and  teachings  on  the  subject  of  evolution,  this 
Board,  in  deference  to  the  decisions  of  the  said  Synods, 
declines  to  comply  with  his  request. 


228     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

"And  inasmuch  as  in  his  reply  to  the  committeee 
appointed  to  wait  upon  him,  Dr.  Woodrow  declares  his 
unwillingness  to  tender  his  resignation,  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  he  be,  and  is  hereby,  removed  from 
his  Professorship  according  to  the  authority  given  this 
Board.     See  Constitution,  Section  II,  Articles  11  and  13." 

Pending  the  discussion  of  the  foregoing,  the  following 
was  adopted: 

"That  Dr.  Woodrow  be  invited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  at  7:30  p.  m.,  if  he  so  deisre,  to  show  cause  why 
the  pending  resolution  may  not  be  adopted." 

Dr.  Woodrow  declined  this  invitation,  whereupon  the 
following  paper  was  adopted: 

"Inasmuch  as  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  Perkins  Profes- 
sor, has  declined  to  appear  before  the  Board  of  Directors, 
to  show  cause  why  he  should  not  be  removed  from  his 
Professorship;  and  inasmuch  as  he  has  already  had  a  full 
hearing  in  person  before  three  of  the  Synods,  and  through 
his  friends  and  advocates  before  the  fourth  Synod,  and 
inasmuch  as  these  Synods  have  already  condemned  his 
views  and  teachings  on  the  subject  of  evolution;  and  inas- 
much as  in  his  reply  to  the  committee  appointed  to  wait 
upon  him.  Dr.  Woodrow  declares  his  unwillingness  to  ten- 
der his  resignation,  therefore, 

"Resolved,  That  he  be,  and  hereby  is,  removed  from 
his  professorship,  according  to  the  authority  given  to  the 
Board.  See  Constitution,  Sec.  2,  Art  11  and  13. 

2.  "That  the  Secretary  be  directed  to  officially  no- 
tify Dr.  Woodrow  of  this  action." 

The  following  resolution  was  also  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  in  taking  this  action  the  Board  de- 
sires it  to  be  distinctly  understood  that  in  its  interpreta- 
tion of  the  instructions  received  from  the  Synods,  it  does 
not  understand  that  any  undue  restrictions  shall  be  placed 
upon  any  professor  of  our  Seminary  or  limitations  put  upon 
the  discussion  of  any  legitimate  doctrine  or  hypothesis; 
nor  does  this  Board,  itself,  desire  to  limit  discussion  on 
any  proper  subject;  provided  always,  that  the  views  incul- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     229 

cated   shall   be    in   accordance   with   the   standards   of   our 
church." 

Immediately  after  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions,  Dr. 
Law  tendered  the  resignation  of  Dr.  W.  E.  Boggs,  as  Pro- 
fessor of  Church  history,  and  Rev.  W.  J.  McKay  tendered 
that  oi  Dr.  C.  R.  Hemphill,  as  Professor  of  Biblical  Liter- 
ature, both  of  which  were  accepted,  the  resignations  to 
take  effect  at  the  close  of  the  session. 

Dr.  Woodrow  gave  due  notice,  a  few  days  after  to  the 
President  of  the  Board,  of  his  intention  to  appeal  from  the 
decision  of  the  Board  to  the  Associated  Snyods,  and  upon 
the  ground  that  his  removal  without  a  trial  was  con- 
trary to  the  Constitution. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta, 
of  which  Dr.  Woodrow  was  a  member,  the  request  of  Dr. 
Woodrow  made  at  a  previous  meeting  was  considered.  The 
request  was  that  a  judical  proceeding  should  be  entered 
against  him  as  he  had  been  accused  of  heresy  and  teach- 
ing contrary  to  the  standards  of  the  church.  After  con- 
sidering the  matter,  the  Presbytery  declared  that 

1st.     We  find  nothing  that  warrants  a  trial  for  heresy. 

2nd.  As  no  one  appears  or  offers  to  make  out  charg- 
es no  process  can  be  instituted.  Dr.  Woodrow  gave  notice 
that  he  would  complain  to  the  Synod  on  account  of  the 
incompleteness  and  unsatisfactoriness  of  the  decision. 

When,  therefore.  Dr.  Woodrow  appeared  before  the 
Synod  of  Georgia,  which  met  at  LaGrange,  October,  1885, 
he  appeared  both  as  complainant  and  appellant;  Complain- 
ant against  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta,  and  appellant  from 
the  action  of  the  Board.  The  case  also  came  up  in  the 
report  of  the  Board.  There  were  two  reports  before  th<* 
Synod,  a  majority  and  a  minority,  the  minority  disap- 
proving of  the  action  of  the  Board  and  the  majority  ap- 
proving of  the  action  of  the  Board  in  the  removal  of  Pro- 
fessor Woodrow.  The  majority  report  was  adopted  by  a 
vote  of  ayes,  45;   noes,  23. 

The  complaint  against  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta  was 
sustained,  "Because  the  Presbytery,  while  declining  to  say 
that  there  were  no  grounds  for  judicial  process,  refused  to 


230     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

prefer  charges  ag-ainst  ihe  complainant  and  try  him.  The 
Synod,  therefore,  returns  the  case  to  the  Presbytery  and 
directs  it  to  reopen  it,  and  either  to  declare  that  there 
are  no  grounds  for  judicial  process  or  if  there  are  such 
grounds  to  proceed  to  trial." 

The  Synod  of  South  Carolina  met  in  Chester,  in  October. 
When  the  report  of  the  Board  came  up  for  review  there 
were  two  reports  touching  the  removal  of  Dr.  Woodrow. 
The  majority  was  adopted,  in  which  the  Synod  disapprov- 
ed the  action  of  the  Board  in  his  removal,  by  a  vote  ayes, 
79;  noes,  62. 

The  Synod  of  Alabama,  which  met  at  Huntsville,  No- 
vember 4,  on  the  other  hand,  by  a  vote  of  27  to  15,  su& 
tained  the  action  of  the  Board. 

The  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida  met  at  Sa- 
vannah, October  23.  By  a  vote  of  15  to  11  they  disap- 
proved of  the  action  of  the  Board  in  removing  Dr.  Wood- 
row,  for  these  reasons: 

1.  "The  Board  should  have  asked  him,  if  he  would 
conform  his  teachings  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  Synod 
before  removing  him. 

2.  "The  Board  proceeded  to  execute  a  judicial  sen- 
tence without  a  judicial  trial,  as  provided  for  in  the  Con- 
stitution.    Sec. 2.  Art.   11. 

Thus  there  was  an  equal  division  in  the  action  of  the 
four  controlling  Synods,  two  approving  and  two  disap- 
approving  the  action  of  the  Board  in  removing  Dr.  Wood- 
row,  the  consolidated  vote  being  129  for  and  145  against 
removal.  The  Board,  therefore,  had  a  problem  before 
them  at  their  meeting. 

They  met  in  December  after  the  meeting  of  the  Syn- 
ods, and  considered  the  case  of  the  Perkins  Professorship. 
Official  notice  of  the  action  of  the  Synods  having  been  re- 
ceived. Dr.  Law  presented  the  following: 

"Whereas,  the  action  of  the  Board  taken  December 
4th,  1884,  removing  Prof.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  from  his 
professorship  in  the  Seminary,  being  duly  reported  to  the 
controlling  Synods,  was  not  "approved  by  a  majority  of  the 
Synods"  which,  according  to  the  constitution.  Sec.  ii,  Art, 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     231 

11,  is  necessary  to  make  such  action  complete;   therefore, 
"Resolved,  1.     That  the  Board  recognizes  the  said  Prof. 
James  Woodrow  as  the  lawful   incumbent  of  the  Perkins 
Professorship. 

2.  "That  the  Treasurer  be  instructed  to  pay  to  the 
said  Prof.  Woodrow  the  salary  pertaining  to  the  said  Per- 
kins Professorship  from  1st  January  last  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time. 

3.  "That  inasmuch  as  the  Synods  in  their  action  of 
1884,  have  instructed  the  Board  to  take  steps  to  prevent 
the  teaching  of  the  hypothesis  of  evolution  as  inculcated 
in  his  address  laid  before  the  Board  in  1884,  the  Board 
now  requests  Prof.  Woodrow  to  inform  it  whether  or  not 
he  can  or  will  conform  his  instructions  on  that  subject  to 
the  expressed  wishes  of  the  Synods  in  reference  thereto. 

4.  "That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  convey  a  copy 
of  these  resolutions  to  Prof.  Woodrow  and  request  a  reply 
at  his  earliest  convenience." 

For  the  Third  resolution  Dr.  Stacy  offered  the  follow- 
ing substitute: 

"Whereas,  Three  of  the  controlling  Synods  of  the  Sem- 
inary have  disapproved  of  the  views  and  teachings  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  James  Woodrow  on  the  subject  of  evolution,  and 
have  instructed  their  representatives  to  take  whatever 
steps  may  be  necessary  to  prevent  its  teaching  in  the  sem- 
inary; and 

"Whereas,  two  of  the  Synods  have  withdrawn  their 
approval  of  Dr.  James  Woodrow  as  a  Professor  in  said 
chair,  by  approving  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
in  removing  him  from  Ms  Professorship,  about  a  year  ago, 
under  Art  5,  Sec.  11,  of  the  constitution  of  the  Seminary, 
which  renders  his  continuance  in  office  unconstitutional; 
therefore: 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Board  the 
continuation  of  Rev.  Dr.  James  Woodrow  in  the  Perkins 
Chair  is  both  unconstitutional  and  in  violation  of  the 
spirit  and  letter  of  the  terms  in  the  deed  of  gift  of  the 
late  John  Perkins  for  the  founding  of  said  Professorship." 


232     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

The  Substitute  was  rejected  and  the  paper  of  Dr.  Law 
adopted,  by  a  vote  of  7  to  6. 

A  committee  was  therfore  appointed  to  wait  upon  Dr. 
Woodrow,  through  whom  the  Board  received  the  following 
answer: 

"Gentlemen:  I  have  received  through  your  committee, 
Rev.  Messrs.  Thos.  H.  Law  and  W.  J.  McKay  the  pre- 
amble and  resolutions  which  you  adopted  this  morning 
respecting  my  relation  to  the  Theological  Seminary,  in 
which  you  recognize  me  as  the  "lawful  incumbent  of  the 
Perkins  Professorship." 

"In  your  third  resolution,  you  call  my  attention  to 
the  instructions  given  to  the  Board  by  the  controlling  Syn- 
ods respecting  my  teaching  of  the  subject  of  Evolution, 
and  you  request  me  to  inform  you  whether  or  not  I  will 
conform  my  instructins  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the 
Synods. 

"In  reply  to  your  question,  I  would  say  that  I  recog- 
nize the  right  of  the  Synods,  to  which  the  Seminary  be- 
longs, to  prescribe  what  subjects  shall  be  there  taught  and 
what  shall  not  be  taught;  and  therefore  as  long  as  I  shall 
continue  to  be  a  Professor  in  the  Seminary,  I  will  act  in 
accordance  with  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  Synods  by 
omitting  Evolution  from  the  subjects  taught. 

"If  the  question  were  of  present  practical  importance, 
I  would  request  the  Board  to  interpret  for  me  the  meaning 
of  the  Synods:  Whether  it  is  intended  that  the  subject  in 
all  its  aspects  shall  be  omitted,  or  that  the  teaching  re- 
specting it  shall  be  only  expository,  or  that  it  shall  be 
omitted  only  so  far  as  it  is  supposed  to  relate  to  man,  etc., 
but  inasmuch  as  no  reference  to  the  subject  in  any  of 
its  aspects  occurs  except  in  the  third  year  of  the  course  of 
lectures  in  my  department,  and  inasmuch  as  this  part  of 
the  course  cannot  be  presented  to  the  students  now  in  the 
Seminary  for  two  years,  owing  to  the  interruption  of  my 
lectures  since  Dec.  10th,  1884,  the  question  is  not  now  of 
practical  importance,  and  therefore  I  will  not  trouble  yoU 
with  it  at  present. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     233 

Dr.  Adams  offered  the  following,  which  w^as  rejected 
by  a  vote  of  7  to  6. 

"Resolved,  that,  in  view  of  Rev.  Dr.  Woodrow's  pro- 
nounced position  upon  the  subject  of  Evolution  in  his  pub- 
lished address,  editorials,  and  speeches  he  is  disqualified 
for  the  occupany  of  any  chair  in  this  institution. 

"Therefore,  this  Board  is  unwilling  for  him  to  con- 
tinue in  his  Professorship,  and  respectfully  requests  his 
resignation  at  once." 

Rev.  W.  H.  Oodge  offered  the  following  resolution. 

"Resolved,  That  in  order  to  quiet  the  agitation  exist- 
ing in  the  church,  by  reason  of  the  discussion  of  the  sub- 
ject of  Evolution,  and  to  secure  the  best  possible  results 
in  behalf  of  the  Seminary,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Seminary  most  respectfully  requests  Dr.  Woodrow  to 
tender  his  resign'ation  as  Perkins  Professor  of  Science  in 
Connection  with  Revelation." 

Dr.  Stacy  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute: 

"Wheras,  Dr.  Woodrow  in  his  answer  has  given  no 
assurance  that  he  will  conform  his  instructions  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Evolution  to  the  interpretation  of  his  theory  by  the 
Synods;  and 

"Whereas,  His  further  continuance  in  the  Perkins 
chair  would  be  hurtful  to  the  interest  of  the  Seminary  and 
the  entire  church,  we  again  request  his  immediate  resigna- 
tion." 

The  substitute  was  rejected  and  Mr.  Dodge's  paper 
adopted  by  a  vote  of  8  to  5. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  convey  this  paper  to 
Dr.  Woodrow.  Said  Committee  returned  with  the  answer, 
that  Dr.  Woodrow  "did  not  see  his  way  clear  to  give  an 
answer  at  present." 

Whereupon,  Rev.  F.  B.  Webb  presented  the  following: 

"Whereas,  this  Board,  deeming  it  highly  injurious 
to  continue  Dr.  Woodrow  in  his  Professorship,  requested 
his  resignation,  and  he  having  declined  to  answer  at  once; 
therefore  be  it 

"Resolved,   that  for  the  same  reasons   for  which  his 


234     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

resignation  was  requested,  the  Board  hereby  declare  the 
chair  of  the  Perkins  Professor  vacant." 

The  resolution  was  rejected  by  a  vote  of  7  to  6. 

Mr.  W.  C.  Sibley  moved  that,  "Inasmuch  as  judicial  pro- 
ceedings against  Dr.  Woodrow  are  pending  in  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Augusta  that  he  be  suspended  from  his  profes- 
sorship until  the  case  be  decided." 

The  motion  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  7  to  5. 

Dr.  Adams  offered  the  following  protest  which  was 
submitted  to  record: 

"The  undersigned  respectfully  requests  permission  to 
place  on  record  their  solemn  protest  against  the  action  of 
the  majority  of  the  Board  in  refusing  to  declare  the  chair 
of  the  Perkins  Professorship  vacant,  inasmuch  as  the  con- 
tinuation of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Woodrow  in  that  chair  portends 
to  this  Seminary  serious  and  alarming  consequences, 
and  inasmuch  as  we  have  done  all  we  could  to  secure  the 
will  of  the  Synods  which  elected  us  as  Directors  of  this 
Institution,  we  declare  that  the  responsibility  rests  upon 
the  Brethren  with  whom  we  differ." 

Signed:   Adams,  Stacy,  McKee,  Webb,  Scott,  Sibley. 

The  following  answer  was  also  admitted  to  the  record: 

"We  recommend  the  following  reply  to  said  protest: 

"The  Board  of  Directors  have  power  to  remove  from 
office  any  Professor  for  two  causes  only,  viz.,  unfaithful- 
ness in  his  trust  or  incompetency  to  the  discharge  of  his 
duties.  In  the  absence  of  any  charges  or  Specifications 
bringing  the  Perkins  Professor  under  either  of  these  dis- 
abilities, the  Board  has  no  power  to  remove  him,  directly 
or  indirectly,  by  declaring  a  chair  vacant,  (Con.  Sec.  II 
Art.  11).  In  the  course  of  discussion  before  the  Board 
01  the  matters  relating  to  the  Perkins  Professorship,  it  was 
several  times  suggested  that  such  charges  in  a  definite 
form  were  necessary,  before  a  Professor  could  be  removed. 
In  the  absence  of  such  charges  a  Professor  can- 
not be  removed  without  repeating  the  action  taken  by  the 
Board  in  December,  1884,  which  failed  to  receive  the  ap- 
proval of  a  majority  of  the  Synods. 

"Under  these    circumstances,     Dr.     Woodrow    having 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     235 

promised  to  obey  the  instruction?  of  the  Synods,  given  in 
1884,  the  majority  of  the  Board  could  not  see  that  any 
course  was  left  to  them  other  than  the  one  adopted. 

"There  might  be  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  con- 
sequences of  their  act,  but  for  these  consequences  they  do 
not  regard  themselves  responsible,  having  discharged  their 
duty  with  the  best  lights  before  them." 

The  Board  met  May  12,  1886. 

Dr.  Stacy  presented  the  following  resolution: 

"Whereas,  the  Board  at  its  last  meeting  requested 
Professor  Woodrow  for  his  resignation  as  Perkins  Profes- 
sor; and  Whereas  the  only  reply  received  was  that  he 
does  not  see  his  way  clear  to  answer  at  present. 

"Resolved,  That  we  now  repeat  the  same  request  and 
ask  for  an  immediate  reply;  and  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  wait  upon  and  communicate  to  him  this  ac- 
tion." 

This  resolution  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  7  to  6. 

The  committee  was  appointed,  and  waited  upon  Dr. 
Woodrow  and  brought  the  following  answer: 

Gentlemen:  On  the  11th  December  last,  I  received  by 
the  hands  of  your  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Dodge  and  McKay,  a  copy  of  a  resolution  in  which 
you  request  me  to  tender  my  resignation  as  Perkins  Pro- 
fessor. To  that  request  I  replied,  through  your  commit- 
tee, that  I  did  not  see  my  way  clear,  to  give  an  answer  at 
once.  I  intended  to  send  you  a  formal  written  answer  dur- 
ing your  present  Meeting. 

"I  have  now  received  through  another  committee,  con- 
sisting of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stacy,  the  Rev.  M.  Webb,  and  Mr. 
McKee,  a  reiteration  of  the  same  request. 

"I  beg  leave  to  say  in  reply  that  I  have  carefully  con- 
sidered the  matter,  and  that  it  would  give  me  pleasure  to 
comply  with  your  wishes  were  it  in  my  power;  but  I  re- 
gard it  as  impossible  for  me  to  do  so  honorably  under 
existing  circumstances.  Therefore,  I  respectfully  decline 
at  present  offering  my  resignation."     Yours,  etc. 

Dr.  Stacy  then  offered  the  following  Resolution: 

"Resolved,  That  in  consequence  of  the  serioi^s  compli- 


236     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

cations  in  which  this  institution  is  involved,  we  hereby  de 
Clare  this  Seminary  closed  until  the  controlling  Synods 
shall  order  its  reopening." 

This  resolution  was  lost  by  vote  of  7  to  6. 

The  Board  met  Sept.  15,  1886. 

The  following  communication  was  received  from  Dr. 
Woodrow: 

"Gentlemen:  You  are  doubtless  aware  that  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  which  met  at  Augusta  last  May,  adopted 
the  following  resolution: 

"Resolved,  That  the  General  Assembly  is  convinced 
that  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  Professors 
in  the  Columbia  Theological  Seminary,  holds  views  re- 
pugnant to  the  Word  of  God  and  to  our  Confession  of 
Faith,  therefore  this  Assembly  does  hereby,  in  accordance 
with  its  action  yesterday,  in  regard  to  the  oversight  of 
Theological  Seminaries  earnestly  recommend  to  the 
Synods  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama  and  of  South 
Georgia  and  Florida,  which  direct  and  control  the  said 
Seminary,  to  dismiss  the  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  as 
Professor  in  the  s*aid  Seminary  and  to  appoint  another  in 
his  place. 

"You  are  also  aware  that  I  was  charged  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Wm.  Adams  with  'teaching  and  promulgating  opinions 
and  doctrines  in  conflict  with  the  sacred  Scriptures  as  in- 
terpreted in  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Larger  and 
Shorter  Catechisms  of  the  Westminster  Assembly,  that 
last  month  I  was  tried  on  this  charge  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Augusta  and  declared  by  it  'not  guilty;'  and  further, 
that  Dr.  Adams  has  complained  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia 
with  reference  to  this  verdict. 

"In  view  of  these  facts,  I  am  reluctant  to  teach  in  the 
Seminary  while  the  pending  questions  are  unsettled. 

"I  therefore  respectfully  request  that  you  consent  to 
my  abstaining  from  teaching,  for  the  present,  I  during  such 
time  relinquishing  my  salary."     Yours,  etc. 

This  request  was  granted. 

Mr.  McKay  offered  the  following  which  w^as  adopted: 

"Resolved,  That  in  view^  of  the    present     incomplete 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     237 

equipment  of  the  Institution,  the  Board  does  hereby  recom- 
mend that  the  controlling  Synods  authorize  the  Board  to 
defer  the  resumption  of  the  exercises  of  the  Seminary  until 
the  third  Monday  in  September,  1887." 

The  following  protest  was  admitted  to  record: 
"The    undersigned    respectfully    put    on    record    their 
solemn  protest  against  the  following  action  of  a  majority 
of  the  Board,  viz: 

First.  In  granting  the  request  contained  in  the  letter 
of  the  Rev.  James  Woodrow  to  be  relieved  for  the  present 
from  his  official  duties.  Such  action  involving  his  reten- 
tion in  this  Institution  as  a  Professor,  and  thereby  com- 
promising both  the  Board  and  the  church.  Inasmuch  as  it 
is  the  expressed  wish  of  the  church  that  his  connection 
with  the  Seminary  be  severed. 

Second.  We  protest  against  the  action  of  the  majority 
of  the  Board  in  the  election  of  Professors  to  the  vacant 
chairs.  Inasmuch  as  the  difficulties  by  which  it  has  been 
embarrassed  and  brought  to  its  present  unhappy  condi- 
tion must  be  adjusted  by  the  Synods  controlling  the  Sem- 
inary and  not  until  such  adjustment  be  made  can  we  ex- 
pect any  person  qualified  for  those  duties  to  accept  the  po- 
sition. Such  action,  therefore,  is  premature  and  likely  to 
debar,  rather  than  to  secure,  men  fully  qualified  for  the 
work. 

Signed:  Adams,  Scott,  McKee,  Webb,  Sibley,  Stacy." 
By  this  time  the  whole  church  was  considerably  stir- 
red up  over  the  condition  of  things  at  Columbia.  The  re- 
ligious journals  were  loaded  with  articles  on  the  subject, 
many  of  which  showed  feeling,  and  even  bitterness  in 
many  instances.  The  secular  papers,  too,  were  taking  part 
in  the  discussion.  It  had  become  perfectly  obvious  that 
something  must  be  done  to  prevent  further  disgrace  to  the 
cause  of  religion  and  the  church.  Matters  had  gone  so  far 
that  charges  had  been  brought  against  one  of  the  leading 
journals  of  the  church  and  its  editors  even  accused  of  du- 
plicity and  falsehood  and  the  case  tried  before  one  of  the 
Presbyteries.  Furthermore,  "A  Declaration  and  Testi- 
mony" had  been  published,   signed  by  104  ministers  and 


238     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

elders,  which  even  threatened  division.  Hardly  a  Church 
court  in  the  Church  but  had  taken  action  of  some 
kind,  some  Synods  criticising  the  action  of  the  Assembly; 
the  Northern  Assembly  had  expressed  itself;  two  of  the 
Professors  of  the  Seminary  had  resigned  their  places  in  the 
Seminary,  and  the  resignation  of  another  ('Dr.  Girardeau), 
was  then  before  the  Board  for  their  action;  and  the 
Board  awaiting  the  action  of  the  Synod  to  close  the  Sem- 
inary. 

This  was  the  state  of  affairs  when  the  Synods  held 
their  meetings  in  the  Fall  (1886.) 

Dr.  Girardeau  in  Synod  of  South  Carolina  offered  a  res- 
olution to  the  effect  that  it  would  be  to  the  interest  of  the 
Seminary  for  Dr.  Woodrow  to  resign,  and  that  he  be  re- 
quested to  tender  his  resignation  to  the  Board.  Adopted 
by  a  vote  of  71  to  42,  Dr.  Woodrow,  not  being  at  the 
meeting,  he  was  communicated  with  by  telegraph.  His 
answer  was:  "Under  existing  circumstances,  I  decline  to 
accede  to  Synod's  wish." 

Dr.  Girardeau  then  offered  the  resolution.  That  as  Dr. 
Woodrow  had  declined  to  accede  to  the  wishes  of  the 
Synod,  that  the  Board  be  directed  to  remove  him  from  of- 
fice and  declare  the  Professorship  vacant.  Adopted,  ayes, 
78;  noes,  42.  A  resolution  was  also  adopted  setting  forth 
the  fact  that  this  action  was  entirely  independent  of  the 
recommendation  of  the  General  Assembly  on  this  subject. 

The  Synods  of  Georgia  and  Alabama  met  a  few  weeks 
later,  at  the  same  time  (Nov,  10th)  the  one  at  Sparta,  and 
the  other  at  Talladega.  The  action  taken  was  the  same  as 
that  of  the  Synod  of  Carolina,  viz:  That  the  Board  be 
instructed  to  request  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Woodrow. 
Should  he  refuse,  then  they  should  proceed  to  remove 
him  from  office  and  declare  the  Professorship  vacant.  The 
vote  in  the  former  stood  ayes,  32;  in  the  latter  the  state- 
ment is  "almost  unanimous." 

The  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida,  met  at  Mont- 
icello,  Nov.  24.  There  were  two  reports,  the  majority 
agreed  with  the  aforesaid  Synods  in  directing  the  Board 
to  remove  Dr.  Woodrow,  if  be  refuses  to  resign;  the  minor- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     239 

ity  that  they  proceed  to  try  him.     The  majority  report  was 
adopted  by  a  vote  of  25  to  16. 

In  view,  therefore,  of  the  action  of  the  controlling 
Synods,  and  in  obedience  to  their  instruction,  the  Board 
met  Dec.  8th,  1886. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous 
vote: 

"Whereas,  The  four  Synods  controlling  this  Seminary 
have  instructed  this  Board  to  request  the  Rev.  James 
Woodrow,  D.  D.,  for  his  resignation  as  Professor  of  Natural 
Science  in  Connection  with  Revelation. 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  consisting  of  Rev.  J.  W. 
Rogan  and  Rev.  W.  T.  Thompson,  D.  D.,  be  appointed  to 
wait  on  Dr.  Woodrow  and  make  the  said  request  and  the 
said  committee  present  Dr.  Woodrow  with  a  copy  of  this 
resolution." 

The  Committee  waited  upon  Dr.  Woodrow  and  re- 
turned with  the  following  answer: 

"Gentlemen:  In  reply  to  the  request  which  you  have 
just  handed  me  for  my  resignation  as  Professor  of  Natural 
Science  in  Connection  with  Revelation,  I  beg  leave  to  say, 
that  I  respectfully  decline  acceding  to  it." 

Yours  respectfully.      JAMES  WOODROW. 

Perkins  Professor  of  Natural  Science  in  Connection 
with  Revelation." 

The  following  Resolution  was,  therefore,  unanimously 
adopted: 

"The  committee  appointed  to  present  the  request  of 
this  Board  to  Dr.  James  Woodrow  for  his  resignation  as 
Professor  of  Natural  Science  in  Connection  with  Revela- 
tion, having  presented  his  reply  declining  to  accede  to  the 
request,  therefore,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  re- 
ceived from  the  four  controlling  Synods  of  the  Theological 
Seminary,  he  be  and  hereby  is,  removed  from  the  chair  of 
Natural  Science  in  connection  with  Revelation,  and  that 
the  Secretary  be  directed  to  communicate  this  action  to 
Dr.  Woodrow." 

The  history  of  this  case  is  not  yet  fully  stated.     It  is 


240     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

necessary  for  us  to  retrace  our  steps  a  little  and  in  a 
measure  go  over  the  same  ground  in  part,  in  order  for  the 
reader  fully  to  comprehend  the  situation.  • 

•  At  the  regular  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Augusta, 
at  Union  Point,  April  188'o,  Dr.  Woodrow  made  the  state- 
ment that  he  had  been  accused  for  several  months  in  the 
public  journals  of  teaching  what  was  contrary  to  the 
Scriptures,  and  asked  that  the  Presbytery,  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  would  subject  him  to  a  regular  trial.  The  mat- 
ter was  put  in  the  hands  of  a  committee  and  the  case  to 
be  tried  at  an  adjourned  meeting. 

The  Presbytery  met  at  Augusta.  The  committee 
brought  in  a  unanimous  report,  which  after  discussion  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

"First.  We  find  nothing  that  warrants  a  trial  for 
heresy. 

"Second.  As  no  one  appears  or  offers  to  make  out 
charges,  no  process  can  be  instituted."  Signed,  Henry 
Newton,  G.  T.  Goetchius,  J.  W.  Wallace,  W.  M.  Adams. 

Dr.  Woodrow  gave  notice  that  he  would  complain  to 
the  Synod  of  Georgia  on  the  ground  of  the  incompleteness 
of  this  action.  The  Presbytery  released  him  from  the 
charge  of  heresy,  but  not  of  the  charge  of  teaching  con- 
trary to  the  Scripture. 

The  Synod  of  Georgia,  as  already  stated,  met  at  La- 
Grange.  The  complaint  of  Dr.  Woodrow  was  sustained 
and  the  case  returned  to  the  Presbytery  with  instruction 
"to  reopen  it  and  either  to  say  that  there  was  no  grounds 
for  judicial  process,  or  if  there  are  such  grounds,  to  pro- 
ceed to  trial." 

The  Presbytery  met  at  Waynesboro  in  April,  1886.  The 
complaint,  together  with  the  action  of  Synod,  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  a  committee  consisting  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Dr. 
Adams,  Henry  Newton,  and  Elders  F.  White,  J.  G.  Tolleson 
and  C.  H.  Smith.  They  brought  in  a  report  signed  by  only 
three  of  them,  the  others  refusing  to  sign,  viz.,  Messrs. 
Adams,  Tolleson  and  Smith,  reporting  "that  they  find  there 
is  strong  presumption  of  the  truth  of  the  charge  that  Dr. 
Woodrow  holds  and  teaches  doctrines  with  regard  to  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     241 

origin  of  the  body  of  Adam  which  are  contrary  to  the 
teachings  of  the  Scriptures  on  this  subject,  as  interpreted 
by  the  standards  of  the  church  and  so  recommend  that 
the  Presbytery  Institute  process  against  him  for  these  er- 
rors." 

After  discussion,  Rev.  D.  McQueen  offered  a  substitute 
which  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  8  to  7,  and  is  as  follows: 

"The  Synod  of  Georgia  having  remanded  the  complaint 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Woodrow  back  to  this  body  for  a  new  hearing, 

"Resolved,  1.  That  inasmuch  as  Dr.  Woodrow  de- 
clares himself  a  firm  believer  in  the  inspiration  of  the 
Scriptures  and  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  Presbyterian 
church;  and  inasmuch  as  we  by  our  former  action  exon- 
erated him  of  the  charge  of  heresy,  that  we  do  now,  while 
not  endorsing  the  hypothesis  of  Evolution  as  advanced  by 
him,  reiterate  our  declaration  exonerating  him  of  said 
charge. 

"That  inasmuch  as  we  vindicate  him  from  the  charge 
of  heresy,  and  heresy  being  the  point  at  issue,  we  find  no 
ground  for  judicial  process." 

Dr.  Ad'ams  then  gave  notice  that  he  would  prefer 
charges  against  Dr.  Woodrow,  on  his  own  responsibility. 
This  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  Presbytery  met  at 
Bethany  church,  Aug.  16,  for  the  purpose  of  issuing  the 
case.  Dr.  Adams  then  appeared  as  prosecutor.  There  were 
two  counts  in  his  bill  of  indictment:  First,  "That  he  was 
propiagating  opinions  and  doctrines  in  conflict  with  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  as  interpreted  in  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  and  the  Larger  and  Shorter  Catechisms  of 
the  Westminster  Assembly."  Second,  that  in  his  teach- 
ing concerning  the  origin  of  Adam's  body,  "He  was  promul- 
gating opinions  which  are  of  a  dangerous  tendency,  and 
which  are  calculated  to  unsettle  the  mind  of  the  church 
respecting  the  accuracy  and  authority  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures as  an  infallible  rule  of  faith." 

After  discussion  the  vote  was  taken  and  Dr.  Woodrow 
exonerated  on  both  counts,  and  declared  "not  guilty;"  on 
the  first  by  a  vote  of  14  to  9;  on  the  second  by  a  vote  of 
17  to  6.     Dr.  Adams  gave  notice  that  he  would  carry  his 


242     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

case  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

The  Synod  of  Georgia  met  at  Sparta,  Nov.  10th,  1886, 
at  which  time  the  Complaint  of  Dr.  Adams  against  the 
Presbytery  of  Augusta  was  fully  tried,  with  the  following 
results:  To  sustain,  49;  not  to  sustain,  15;  to  sustain  in 
part;   2. 

In  the  record  of  the  case,  the  Synod  declared  that 
"the  complaint  be  sustained,  for  the  reason  that  the  finding 
and  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  are  contrary  to  the  evi- 
dence and  the  law,  in  that  the  evidence  before  the  Pres- 
bytery showed  that  the  belief  of  the  said  defendent  Rev. 
James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  as  to  the  origin  of  the  body  of 
Adam,  was  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  as  interpreted  in 
the  Standards  of  the  church;  and  it  is  therefore  ordered 
that  the  said  verdict  and  judgment  of  the  Presbytery  is 
hereby  reversed." 

Dr.  Woodrow  not  being  satisfied  with  this  decision, 
gave  notice  that  he  would  complain  to  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

The  Assembly  met  in  St.  Louis  in  May,  1887.  Dr.  Wood- 
row  being  physically  unable  to  attend  requested  the  As- 
sembly to  postpone  his  case  to  the  next  Assembly.  The 
request  was  granted  and  the  case  postponed. 

The  Assembly  met  at  Baltimore  May,  1888.  The  com- 
plaint of  Dr.  Woodrow  was  heard,  and  not  sustained;  w^ith 
the  following  vote: 

Not  to  sustain,  109;  to  sustain,  34;  to  sustain  in  part, 
2. 

In  their  judgment,  the  Assembly  declared: 
"It  is  the  judgment  of  this  General  Assembly  that 
Adam's  body  was  directly  fashioned,  by  Almighty  God  of 
the  dust  of  the  ground,  without  any  natural  animal  parent- 
age of  any  kind.  The  wisdom  of  God  prompted  him  to  re- 
veal the  fact,  while  the  inscru-table  mode  of  his  action 
therein  he  has  not  revealed. 

"Therefore,  the  Church  does  not  propose  to  teach, 
handle  or  conclude  any  'question  of  science  which  belongs 
to  God's  kingdom  of  nature.  She  must  by  her  divine  consti- 
tution see  that  these  questions  are  not  thrust  upon  her. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     243 

to  break  the  silence  of  Scripure,  and  supplement  it  with 
any  scientific  hypothesis  concerning  the  mode  of  God's  be- 
ing or  acts  in  creation,  which  are  inscrutable  to  us.  It  is 
therefore  ordered,  that  this  complaint  in  this  case  be  not 
sustained,  and  the  judgment  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia  be, 
and  the  same  is  hereby  in  all  things  affirmed." 

Rev.  T.  C.  Whaling  presented  the  following  protest 
signed  by  himself  and  seventeen  others,  which  was  admit- 
ted to  record: 

1.  "The  second  specification  in  the  indictment  against 
the  Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  is  expressly  excluded  by 
the  constitution  of  the  church  inasmuch  as  "nothing  ought 
to  be  considered  by  any  court  as  an  offense,  or  admitted  as  a 
matter  of  accusation,  which  cannot  be  proved  to  be  such 
from  Scripture  as  interpreted  in  these  standards." 

2.  "In  the  view  of  your  protestants,  the  Holy  Bible 
does  not  reveal  the  form  of  the  matter  out  of  which,  or  the 
mode  by  which  God  created  the  body  of  Adam,  and 
therefore  the  hypothesis  of  evolution  as  believed  by  Rev. 
James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  cannot  be  regarded  as  in  conflict 
with  the  teachings  of  the  sacred  Scriptures. 

3.  "The  Westminster  standards  simply  reproduce, 
without  interpretation,  the  statements  of  the  Scriptures  in 
reference  to  the  creation  of  Adam's  body;  and  as  the 
views  of  the  complainants  are  not  in  conflict  with  the 
statements  of  the  Scriptures  so  neither  can  they  be  with 
the  teachings  of  the  standards." 

4.  "The  action  of  the  Assembly  in  refusing  to  sustain 
this  complaint  is  equivalent  to  pronouncing  as  certainly 
false  the  theory  of  Evolution  as  applied  by  Dr.  Woodrow 
to  Adam's  body,  which  is  a  purely  scientific  question,  en- 
tirely foreign  to  the  legitimate  sphere  of  ecclesiastical  ac- 
tion. Your  Protestants,  therefore,  are  unwilling  that  thif 
General  Assembly  should  express  any  opinion  whatever  re 
specting  the  hypothesis  of  evolution,  or  any  other  scien- 
tific  question." 

This  was  the  third  time  this  subject  was  up  before  the 
Assembly;  First  before  the  Assembly  at  Augusta,  in  1886, 
brought  up  by  overture,  asking  a  deliverance  on  the  sub- 


244     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

ject;  and  also  by  the  report  on  Theological  Seminaries.  In 
the  first,  Dr.  Woodrow's  theory  was  condemned;  in  the 
second,  the  Assembly  earnestly  recommended  the  con- 
trolling Synods  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  have  him  re- 
moved and  some  one  else  put  in  his  place. 

The  second  time  at  St.  Louis,  in  1887,  by  overtures 
from  the  Presbyteries  of  Harmony  and  South  Carolina, 
asking  for  a  deliverance  on  the  authority  of  the  Assembly 
over  the  Seminaries;  and  from  the  latter  asking  a  further 
deliverance  on  the  mode  of  creation;  in  both  of  which  the 
Assembly  declined  saying  any  thing  further. 

The  third  and  last  time  was  in  the  meeting  above  men- 
tioned at  Baltimore  in  1888,  when  the  Assembly,  in  decid- 
ing the  case  substantially  repeated  what  had  been  said 
at  Augusta  in  1886,  condemning  Dr.  Woodrow's  theory  of 
Evolution  and  the  mode  of  the  creation  of  the  body  of 
Adam. 

Thus  with  this  final  action  of  the  Assembly,  and  the  re- 
moval of  Dr.  Woodrow  from  his  Professorship  in  the  Sem- 
inary, after  four  years  of  constant  agitation,  the  subject 
began  gradually  to  disappear  from  the  public  eye. 

There  is  still  another  little  episode,  connected  with 
this  subject  which  is  necessary  to  mention  in  order  to  com- 
plete the  history  of  this  unfortunate  movement.  After  the 
removal  of  Dr.  Woodrow  in  December  1886,  he  became  con- 
nected with  the  South  Carolina  College  as  one  of  its  Pro- 
fessors. Some  of  the  students  of  the  Seminary  being  his 
warm  friends  and  admirers,  matriculated  as  attendants 
upon  his  lectures;  among  whom  were  Mr.  W.  W.  Elwang 
under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Orleans,  and  W. 
C.  Foster  under  the  care  of  South  Carolina  Presbytery, 
and  this  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Faculty.  Undet 
the  advice  and  counsel  of  Rev.  Mr.  Blackburn,  then  tutor  in 
the  Seminary,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Profes- 
sors, these  young  brethren  ceased  attending  those  lectures. 
Mr.  Foster  soon  left  the  institution.  In  the  meanwhile  Mr 
Elwang  had  written  to  Rev.  J.  W.  Flinn,  Chairman  of  tho 
Committee  of  Education,  of  New  Orleans  Presbytery,  fo? 
instruction.     Mr.  Flinn  replied,  that  he  should  consult  his 


^^t^^ 


FIRST  PRESYTERIAN  CHURCH,  AUGUSTA,  GA. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     253 

creature   after   his   kind,   cattle   and    creeping     thing,   and 
beast  of  the  earth  after  his  kind;  and  it  was  so." 

The  great  Scripture  law  of  descent  is  generation  after 
its  kind.  Every  beast  and  living  thing  was  to  produce  only 
after  its  kind.  The  fish  always  to  produce  the  fish;  the 
bird  nothing  but  a  bird,  and  the  quadruped  nothing  but  a 
quadruped.  Here  then  was  the  great  law  with  which  Evo- 
lution was  in  direct  conflict. 

God  says  every  thing  is  to  perpetuate  itself 
after  its  kind;  not  so  says  evolution,  but  one  kind  can  and 
will  produce  another  kind;  the  oyster  can  become  a  fish, 
and  the  fish  a  bird,  and  the  bird  a  lion.  Here  is  conflict, 
and  not  only  conflict  but  direct  contradiction.  Admit  the 
fixedness  of  species  or  kind  and.  the  question  is  settled 
Admit  the  fixedness  of  species,  and  the  law  that  kind  is  to 
produce  its  kind,  and  no  one  objects  to  the  greatest  lati- 
tude of  mere  development  resulting  in  varieties,  as  is 
known  to  every  agriculturist  and  pomologist.  Dr.  Wood- 
row's  Evolution  was  not  simply  development,  but  transpo- 
sition of  kind,  from  one  species  to  another,  from  the  pro- 
toplasm to  the  mollusk,  from  the  mollusk  to  the  radiate, 
frm  the  radiate  to  the  articulate,  and  from  the  articulate 
to  the  mammalia.  This  point,  however,  he  very  adroitly 
covered  up.  On  speaking  of  it,  it  was  always,  "as  explain- 
ed in  his  address,"  and  in  the  address,  it  was  simply 
"descent  with  modification,"  and  never  the  distinct  enun- 
ciation of  the  transmutation  from  one  species  or 
kind  to  another.  In  speaking  of  Adam's  body  as 
probably  of  brutal  descent,  he  completely  ignored 
the  previous  Evolution  of  that  body.  He  stated  the  case 
thus:  The  Scriptures  say  nothing  about  the  body,  wheth- 
er formed  from  organic  or  inorganic  matter,  and  in  the  ab- 
sence of  any  Scripture  on  the  subject,  it  was  unfair  to  ac- 
cuse him  of  teaching  contrary  to  the  Scriptures,  when  he 
said  that  the  body  was  probably  of  animal  parentage.  But 
what  did  he  mean  by  "Animal  Parentage?"  He  and  his 
friends  argued  the  case  as  though  the  question  was  wheth- 
er Ood  simply  took  the  body  of  some  animal  already  in 
existence,  and  out  of  it  formed  the     body  of     Adam,  or 


254     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

whether  he  fashioned  that  body  directly  from  inorganic  dirt? 
But  this  view  was  clearly  misle'ading,  as  there  was  no  Evo- 
lution in  such  a  creation  as  that.  The  evolution  was  in  the 
previous  formation  of  that  animal  body — the  bringing  of  it 
up  from  some  lower  form  of  animal  life  and  it  was  just 
there  in  the  judgment  of  m'any  that  the  Professor  contra- 
dicted Moses  in  saying  that  that  body  did  come  up  from 
some  lower  form,  when  Moses  had  said  so  explicitly,  that 
the  law  of  animal  life  was  for  every  thing  to  perpetuate  it- 
self after  its  kind.  If  he  meant  simply  that  God  took  the 
body  of  an  animal  already  m  existence,  then  it  was  simply 
a  remodeling  with  which  Evolution  had  nothing  to  do,  and 
much,  if  not  all  discussion  on  that  subject,  was  "Much 
ado  'about  nothing."  It  seems  strange  that  no  mention  was 
made  of  this  point  in  the  discussion  we  have  of  the  sub- 
ject, when  it  was  the  very  turning  point  of  the  whole  ar- 
gument. If  the  debate  had  been  narrowed  down  to  this 
one  definite  Scriptural  view,  every  thing  "after  its  kind," 
fully  three  fourths  of  the  discussion  would  have  been  ruled 
out  as  irrelevant  and  a  great  deal  of  rancor  and  bitterness 
thereby  avoided,  and  with  result  far  more  satisfactory. 

In  common  with  the  whole  church,  we  rejoice  that  the 
discussion  of  this  vexed  question  has  long  since  passed  out 
of  view.  Errors  are  many  times  like  approaching  waves 
which  threaten  to  engulf  every  thing  before  them,  but 
pass  on  to  come  no  more.  So  this  great  error,  we  believe, 
has  passed  by  to  return  no  more  forever.  And  even  if  it 
should  ever  lift  up  its  head  again,  we  have  no  fears  what- 
ever of  the  safety  of  God's  truth,  for  that  truth  is  eternal 
as  the  years  of  the  Most  High. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


THE  GREAT  COMMISSION. 
HOME  MISSIONS. 

From  th€  fields  of  controversy  and  strife,  we  turn  to 
the  legitimate  home  work  of  the  church,  as  set  forth  in  her 
great  commission,  "Ge  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature."  For  we  need  hardly  say — that 
all  this  dissension  and  discord  through  which  she  has 
passed  form  no  part  of  that  commission.  She  is  no  where 
commanded  to  engage  in  controversy  and  strife.  But 
simply  to  "go  and  preach."  This  is  to  be  her  sole  busi- 
ness. 

And  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  command  is  to  "go," 
not  to  sit  still,  but  to  go  and  carry  the  gospel  to  the  peo- 
ple. The  terms  of  her  commission  require  her  ever  to  be 
moving  and  advancing.  She  is  to  go,  and  as  she  goes  to 
preach;  like  Jonah  entering  Ninevah,  and  crying  as  he  pro- 
ceeds, declaring  the  doom  of  the  city.  Nor  yet  is  she  to  stop 
till  tihe  gospel  is  preached  to  ever  creature. 

Concerning  this  commission,  we  have  further  to  say: 

1st.  Its  first  essenti'al  feature  is  that  of  preaching. 
Nothing  is  to  take  the  place  of  this  formal  proclamation  of 
the  gospel.  Neither  leagues,  nor  associations,  sohools  of 
instruction,  nor  any  other  thing  of  human  device  can  take 
the  place  of  the  living  ministry,  or  be  made  a  substitute 
for  the  human  form  or  human  voice.  It  is  required  of 
those  who  would  preach  this  gospel,  that  they  speak  it  in 
person.  They  are  to  be  witnesses,  as  well  as  ambassadors 
of  the  truth.  God  has  ordained,  that  by  "the  foolishness  of 
preaching"  the  kingdom  of  Satan  is  to  be  overturned — and 
the  world  saved. 

2nd.  Nor  yet  is  anything  to  take  the  place  of  this 
gospel,  the  essence  of  which  is  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  as 
set  forth  in  the  declaration,  "He  that  believeth,  and  is  bap- 
tized, shall  be  saved,  but  he  that  believeth  not,  sihall  be 


256     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

damned."  Man  is  not  to  tamper  with  this  message,  either 
by  adding  thereto  or  taking  therefrom. 

That  there  is  much  included  in  this  matter  of  preach- 
ing we  readily  admit.  All  religious  instruction  is  preach- 
ing in  one  sense.  The  office  of  the  pastor  is  to  teach  as  w^ell 
as  to  preach.  But  all  teaching  is  not  preaching.  We  are 
to  teach  only  what  is  included  in  the  great  commission. 

The  only  rule  to  guide  us  in  determining  what  to 
preach  and  what  to  leave  out  is  the  model  given  us  in 
the  Scriptures,  viz.,  the  preaching  of  the  master  and  the 
Apostles.  The  nearer  we  follow  those  models,  the  more 
effective  our  preaching;  the  farther  we  depart  from  them, 
the  weaker  our  testimony,  and  the  fewer  souls  led  to 
Christ. 

3rd.  The  Church,  in  her  marching,  is  not  to  neglect 
her  home  work.  There  is  a  work  behind  as  well  as  before; 
a  work  at  home,  as  well  as  abroad.  She  is  not  to  send  all 
her  forces  to  the  front,  nor  yet  to  keep  them  all  at  home, 
but  to  divide  the  same  between  her  missionary  or  evange- 
listic fields  and  her  pastoral  w^ork  at  home.  Like  a  wise 
general  she  is  to  hold  on  to  and  fortify  her  conquests,  and 
make  the  same  the  base  of  future  operations. 

And  herein  we  see  what  we  conceive  to  be  the  mistake 
of  our  Methodist  brethren  on  the  one  hand,  and  our  own 
on  the  other.  They  set  out  with  the  idea  of  having  noth- 
ing but  traveling  evangelists.  The  Presbyterians,  on  the 
other  hand,  though  they  have  ample  provision  in  their  sys- 
tem for  evangelistic  work,  have  been  emphasizing  the  pas- 
torate. Both  these  methods  are  extremes;  both  unscript- 
ural.  The  divine  appointment  covers  the  middle  ground: 
"Some  evangelists,  some  pastors  and  teachers,"  the 
evangelist  to  do  the  outside  work,  and  the  pastor  the  work 
at  home.  They  are  both  beginning  to  see  their  error,  and 
endeavoring  to  correct  the  same,  and  in  doing  this  are  get- 
ting nearer  the  scripture  standard  in  this,  that  the  Metho- 
dists are  lengthening  their  pastorate,  and  the  Presbyter- 
ians are  increasing  the  number  of  their  evangelists.  When 
this  is  fully  accomplished  they  will  then  be  standing  side 
by  side  upon  the  true  scripture  ground. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     257 

4.  There  is  to  be  no  distinction  or  limitation  as  to  the 
field.  The  distinction  between  Home  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, is  absolutely  without  any  foundation  in  the  scrip- 
tures; nor  yet  in  reason,  for  when  th-e  whole  world  is 
evangelized,  then  there  will  be  no  foreign  field.  In  scrip- 
ture parlance,  the  "field  is  the  world,"  not  the  part  at  home 
any  more  than  the  part  abroad;  nor  one  place  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  any  other.  Beginning  at  Jerusalem,  but  not  to 
stop  there,  but  to  go  to  Samaria,  and  the  uttermost  part 
of  the  earth.  Nor  yet  waiting  for  the  conversion  of  every- 
body, but  continue  moving  from  house  to  house,  from  place 
to  place,  from  nation  to  nation,  till  the  very  last  man  of 
every  tribe  and  nation  has  heard  the  glorious  tidings  of 
salvation. 

How  apparent  then  the  error  of  those  who  say  that 
they  believe  in  home,  but  not  foreign  missions.  Those  who 
thus  believe  take  their  own  reason,  and  not  the  word  of 
God,  as  their  guide. 

5.  Here  then  is  the  distribution  we  would  make  as 
gathered  from  the  word  of  God.  The  pastor  is  to  preach 
and  teach  at  home,  both  offices,  preaching  and  teaching, 
being  in  one.  The  evangelist,  or  home  missionary,  as  he 
is  sometimes  termed,  to  look  after  the  new  and  destitute 
fields;  the  two  here  again  being  both  united  in  one. 

Thus  the  evangelistic  and  home  mission  work  are  very 
closely  allied,  the  only  difference  being  the  additional 
feature  of  sustentation  in  connection  with  the  latter.  The 
evangelist  is  more  of  a  traveling  minister.  The  home  mis- 
sionary is  expected  to  look  after  the  feeble  and  newborn 
churches  planted  by  the  evangelist.  The  feeble  churches 
must  be  cared  for  and  nursed  or  else  they  will  die.  No 
Church  can  expect  to  enlarge  her  borders  which  will  adopt 
any  other  plan.  This  is  the  reason  as  we  believe  and  we 
here  repeat  it  with  emphasis,  why  the  Presbyterian  church 
has  made  no  more  progress.  While  looking  over  her  home 
interest,  the  other  denominations,  with  their  advance 
guards,  were  actively  engaged  in  planting  churches  in  other 
and  destitute  places  in  the  country. 

But  we  are  glad  to  know  that  the   Presbyterians   of 


258     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Georgia  are  becoming  more  and  more  alive  to  the  impor- 
tance of  this  work.  The  Presbyteries  now  all  have  a  stand- 
ing committee  on  home  mission  work,  whose  duty  is 
to  looTc  after  and  provide  for  the  wants  and  necessities  of 
every  weak  and  destitute  field.  This  is  one  of  the  en- 
couraging signs,  and  evidence  of  advance  in  the  church. 
With  fidelity  on  the  part  of  these  committees,  every  field 
in  the  Synod  will  thus  be  supplied. 

We  desire  just  here  to  speak  of  a  method  of  evangelis- 
tic work  inaugurated  in  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  and  one 
we  think  a  most  admirable  one,  and  that  is  the  use  of  the 
"gospel  tent."  It  has  been  tried  by  the  Presbytery  with 
great  success,  and  resulting  in  the  organization  of  church- 
es, as  at  Panthersville,  and  Bremen,  and  also  used  with 
success  at  other  places.  We  can  but  express  regret  that 
a  plan  so  much  in  harmony  with  the  principles  of  the  great 
commission,  and  meeting  with  surh  success,  should  be  dis- 
continued. 

SYNODICAL  EVANGELISM. 

Following  the  example  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  also  the  General  Assembly  after  its  forma- 
tion, and  still  later  the  example  of  the  more  recent  Synods 
of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  the  Synod  of  Georgia  at 
first  adopted  it  as  its  policy  to  send  out  missionaries  or 
evangelists,  in  different  parts  of  its  territory.  Hence,  in 
1859,  we  find  the  Synod  appointing  as  evangelists,  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  C.  Stiles,  and  Rev.  W.  M.  Cunningham,  who 
labored  through  the  next  year  with  great  accept- 
ance and  success.  But  in  1882  they  seemed  to  have 
changed  their  policy.  In  answer  to  an  overture  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Athens  asking  the  appointment  of  one  or 
m'ore  Synodical  evangelists.  Synod  gave  the  following 
answer:  p.  21. 

"The  Form  of  Government,  which  distinctly  defines 
the  sphere  of  action,  and,  by  express  provision,  limits  the 
jurisdiction  of  each  court,  gives  to  the  Presbyteries — to 
Presbyteries  alone — the  power  "to  ordain  ministers,"  to 
require  them  to  devote  themselves  diligently  to  their  sa- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     259 

cred  calling,  and  to  censure  the  delinquent,  and  "to  s-et 
apart  evangelists  to  their  proper  work." 

The  Constitution  gives  Presbyteries — Presbyteries 
only — power  "to  form  and  receive  new  churches"  and  "to 
take  special  oversight  of  vacant  churches." 

But  as  Synod  has  the  constitutional  right  "to  concert 
measures  for  promoting  the  prosperity  and  enlargement 
of  the  church  within  its  bounds,  it  is  hereby  recommended 
and  enjoined  that  the  Presbyteries  of  this  Synod  faithfully 
and  earnestly  so  to  group  and  aid  their  vacant 
churches  as  to  secure  to  all  of  them  at  least  occasional 
ministrations." 

Notwithstanding  these  clearcut  statements  of  the 
principles  and  interpretaton  of  the  Book,  we  find  the 
Synod  five  years  after  repudiating  the  same  and  going 
back  to  the  old  method  of  Synodical  evangelists.  For  in 
1887  we  find  that  in  answer  to  an  overture  from  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Augusta  asking  the  appointment  of  evangelists, 
the  Synod  declared  that  it  was  its  sense  "that  one  or  more 
evangelists  should  be  put  into  the  field,"  and  a  Committee 
appointed  to  carry  out  the  scheme.  The  same  action  was 
taken  for  several  succeeding  years,  without  any  practical 
results  till  the  appointment  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Mack  in  1890, 
to  whom  Rev.  Messrs.  W.  M.  Doggett  and  Nathan  Bach- 
man  were  added  in  1891,  at  which  time  the  Synod  seemed 
so  much  enthused  upon  the  subject  that  the  Committee 
recommended  the  appointment  of  four  more  evangelists; 
they  also  proposed  the  appointment  of  a  minister  as  gen- 
eral superintendent,  who  should  give  his  entire  time  to  the 
work.  Said  superintendent  was  not  appointed,  however. 
The  matter  was  referred  to  the  standing  committee,  and 
we  see  nothing  more  said  about  it. 

Whatever  may  be  said  concerning  the  logical  sound- 
ness of  the  interpretation  of  the  constitutional  principles 
laid  down  by  the  Synod  in  1882,  the  results  showed  the 
wisdom  of  the  appointment.  Dr.  Mack  continued  in  the 
field  some  eight  years,  the  other  two  about  two.  Never 
was  there  a  greater  accession  to  the  number  of  churches 


260     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

than  during  those  years.  Dr.  Mack  says  in  his  report  in 
1898: 

"Since  coming  to  this  Synod  in  the  Fall  of  1890,  it  has 
been  my  privil-ege  to  participate  in  the  organization  or  re- 
organization of  forty-four  Churches.  Of  these,  two  have 
been  dissolved;  one  is  in  another  Synod;  and  one  com- 
posed mainly  of  Northern  emigrants,  has  preferred  to  be 
with  a  Northern  church;  of  the  remaining  forty  (or  about 
one  fifth  of  the  churches  upon  the  roll  of  the  Synod)  thirty- 
two  have  houses  of  worship;  five  are  either  building,  or 
have  secured  desirable  lots,  and  only  three  as  yet  have 
taken  no  definite  step  in  securing  a  house.  These  results 
show  what  might  have  been  accomplished  if  Synod  had 
put  three  or  four  men  in  the  field  and  continuously  kept 
them  there."  (Min.  p.  42.) 

Whether  this  be  according  to  our  theory  of  Church 
Government  or  not  it  nevertheless  seems  now  to  be  the 
settled  policy  not  only  of  the  Synod  but  also  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  at 
Greensboro,  N.  C,  May  1908,  they  created  a  permanent 
committee  on  Evangelism,  and  the  Synod,  at  its  meeting 
at  Athens,  has  also  endorsed  the  same  by  appointing  a 
similar  committee  to  act  in  concert  with  said  committee 
of  the  Assembly,  but,  "not  to  interfere  with  the  committees 
01  the  Presbyteries." 

We  may  here  add  that  the  interpretation  given  by  the 
Synod  in  1882  may  be  a  correct  expose  of  the  principles  of 
the  bo*ok,  but  the  question  may  here  be  raised  as  to  the 
soundness  of  those  principles  themselves?  For  if  the 
Synod  be  but  a  larger  Presbytery,  as  sometimes  stated, 
why  may  it  not  also  have  the  same  right  to  appoint  evange- 
lists as  the  Presbyteries?  It,  therefore,  becomes  simply 
a  question  of  expediency  and  not  of  constitutional  law. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     245 

wishes  in  the  matter,  and  to  attend  said  lectures  if  he  so 
desired.  The  faculty  had  before  this  notified  Mr.  Elwang 
of  their  intention  to  refer  the  matter  to  the  New  Orleans 
Presbytery.  Mr.  Elwang  wishing  to  have  the  matter  set- 
tled as  a  test  question,  submitted  it  to  the  Faculty  for  their 
decision.  They  gave  it  as  their  judgment,  that  in  view  of 
the  decision  of  the  four  controlling  Synods  they  could  not 
do  otherwise  than  refuse  permission  to  the  students  of  the 
Seminary  to  attend  upon  the  lectures  of  Dr.  Woodrow. 
Mr.  Elwang  soon  left  the  Institution,  and  thus  the  little 
cloud,  which  for  a  time  seemed  to  threaten  a  little  fric- 
tion, soon  blew  over.  In  reviewing  their  action,  the  Board 
approved  what  the  Faculty  had  done. 


We  have  given  in  the  above  the  main  facts  in  the 
Evolution  controversy,  and  in  so  doing  have  entered  largely 
into  details,  that  the  reader  may  be  in  a  condition  to  judge 
for  himself  of  its  true  character.  Without  desiring  in  the 
least  to  interfere  with  his  right  to  form  his  own  conclus- 
ions, we  offer  a  few  remarks  upon  the  general  subject. 

1.  As  to  the  propriety  of  the  Chair  itself.  Though 
voting  to  receive  the  money  the  writer  is  candid  to  say 
that  he  never  has  been  able  to  see  the  necessity  or  advis- 
ability of  this  new  addition  to  the  seminary  curriculum.  It 
has  always  seemed  to  him  an  incongruous,  as  well  as  dang- 
erous thing,  for  the  church  to  appoint  a  man  to  teach  in 
her  name  and  by  her  authority,  something  outside  th." 
Scriptures,  concerning  which  she  knows  nothing,  and  foi 
which  she  has  no  standard;  the  only  limitations  to  the 
teaching  being  the  individual  notions  and  conclusions  of 
the  man  himself;  thus  placing  herself  entirely  at  his 
mercy,  without  any  protection  or  safeguard  against  any 
vagary  in  which  he  might  indulge;  and  in  case  of  conflict 
between  himself  and  the  church,  which  might  occur  at  any 
time  to  put  him  in  position  to  plead  his  superior  knowledge 
as  an  expert,  thus  placing  her  at  an  awkward  and  humiliat- 
ing disadvantage. 

But  a  still  greater  incongruity  appears  in  the  proposed 
end  for  which  the  appointment  was  made.    The  idea  of  en- 


246     THE  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

trusting  the  defense  of  God's  truth  to  any  one  man,  no  mat- 
ter who  h€  is,  or  what  his  talents  or  qualifications  may  be, 
ff  not  so  serious  a  matter,  would  be  farcical  in  the  ex- 
treme. It  finds  its  parallel  in  the  story  of  the  two  irate 
neighbors  living  on  opposite  sides  of  Stone  Mountain, 
each  with  pole  in  hand,  pushing  with  all  his  might,  the  one 
seeking  to  roll  the  towering  mountain  over  upon  his  neigh- 
bor, and  the  other,  putting  forth  all  his  strength  to  pre- 
vent it.  God's  truth  is  immovable,  being  "Forever  settled 
in  the  heavens."  God's  truth  is  indestructible,  and  needs 
not  the  feeble  efforts  of  puny  man  for  its  defense  any 
more  than  the  keeping  of  the  sun,  m.oon  and  stars  in  their 
orbits.  The  Ark  is  the  Lord's  and  has  no  need  of  Uzzah's 
unhallowed  touch  to  prevent  its  fall.  He  has  made  us  His 
witnesses  or  ambassadors  simply  and  not  his  counsellors 
or  co-defenders  of  his  truth.  "Ye  are  my  witnesses."  In- 
stead of  one  man,  he  has  made  all  His  people  His  witness- 
es. If  a  wicked  and  gainsaying  world  refuse  to  receive 
the  truth,  that  is  a  matter  entirely  between  them  and  the 
king.  The  responsibility  is  with  them  and  not  with  the 
ambassador.  And  after  all,  the  best  and  only  effective  sys- 
tem of  Christian  apologetics,  and  the  only  one  God  has 
appointed,  is  the  consistent  life  of  his  people.  It  is  by  their 
godly  living  that  they  are  "To  put  to  silence  the  igno- 
rance of  foolish  men."  We  need  this  far  more  tnan  the 
study  of  science,  or  the  appointment  of  a  professor's  chair, 
for  the  speedy  and  successful  triumph  of  the  gospel. 

We  cannot,  therefore,  but  express  the  coinviction  that 
in  the  appointment  of  a  Chair  of  Natural  Science,  the 
church  simply  w^ent  out  of  her  commission,  assuming  a 
prerogative  and  role  which  were  not  hers.  And  as  "The 
curse  causeless  sh'all  not  come,"  the  divine  displeasure 
soon  became  apparent  in  the  sudden  sweeping  away  of  the 
larger  portion  of  the  endowment  and  the  after  visitation 
of  the  bitter  strife  and  angry  debate  which  followed,  the 
effects  of  which  are  still  felt  and  especially  seen  in  the 
hurt  inflicted  upon  the  unfortunate  Seminary,  from  which 
it  seems  difficult,  if  not  almost  impossible  to  rally. 

2.     As  to  the  removal  of  the  Professor.  This,  and  not 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     247 

simply  the  question  of  Evolution,  was  the  storm  center  of 
the  whole  controversy.  No  one  defended  the  doctrine  of 
Evolution,  and  certainly  not  as  interpreted  by  Dr.  Wood- 
row.  We  rind  no  minister.  Presbytery,  Synod,  or  Assembly 
endorsing  his  peculiar  tenets  on  that  subject.  The  chief, 
and  we  might  add,  the  only  objection  raised  was,  that  the 
Professor  was  removed  without  a  trial,  as  was  charged, 
and  which  thing  was  felt  and  declared  by  his  friends  to 
be  an  act  of  great  injustice  to  him. 

We  cannot  but  express  surprise  at  this  statement, 
when  the  records  so  abundantly  show  that  he  was  tried, 
and  fully  tried,  both  as  to  his  doctrine  and  as  to  himself; 
first,  his  doctrine,  by  the  Synod  of  'Georgia  at  Marietta  in 
1884,  and  also  by  the  other  Synods  in  their  meetings  so 
soon  after,  when  days  were  consumed  in  canvassing  the 
whole  subject;  and  second,  himself  tried  first  before  his 
Presbytery  at  Augusta  in  1885,  and  at  Bethany  in  August 
1886,  and  by  the  Synod  of  Georgia  at  LaGrange  in  1885,  and 
again  at  Sparta  in  1886,  and  by  the  General  Assembly  it 
Baltimore  in  1888.  His  case  was  before  the  associated 
Synods  and  the  General  Assembly  and  the  entire  church 
tor  four  consecutive  years  (1884-1888)  considered  and  acted 
on  in  the  church  courts,  discussed  in  the  public  prints,  and 
tried  at  the  bar  of  public  opinion;  with  unlimited  time 
allowed  him  at  the  church  courts  in  which  to  defend  him- 
self, with  the  Southern  Presbyterian,  his  own  paper,  at  his 
command,  and  which,  too,  he  wielded  with  a  deft  and  dili- 
gent hand,  and  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Review  at  his 
fullest  disposal;  in  all  of  which  the  most  ample  opportu- 
nities were  afforded  him  for  the  vindication  of  himself,  and 
presentation  of  his  views.  Instead  of  a  deficiency,  if  any- 
thing, there  was  too  much  trial,  at  least,  so  thought  some 
of  his  friends.  For  when  he  asked  his  Presbytery 
(Augusta)  to  enter  judicial  process  against  him  they 
refused  to  do  it,  even  after  the  Synod  had  returned  the 
case  to  them  with  instruction  to  reopen  it  and  either  enter 
process  or  assert  his  entire  innocence;  they  refusing  upon 
the  ground  that  they  had  already  considered  the  case  and 
acquitted  him  of  all  charge  of  heresy. 


248     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

It  should  also  be  borne  in  mind  that  Dr.  Woodrow  was 
not  removed  until  all  the  Synods  had  spoKen  again  and 
again,  and  had  all  acted  and  in  concert  with  the  General 
Assembly,  had  given  instruction  to  the  Board  to  remove 
him  in  case  he  should  refuse  to  tender  his  resignation.  It 
is  true  the  records  show  that  he  was  removed  by  the 
Board  in  the  fall  of  1884.  But  that  was  not  a  removal 
proper,  but  only  a  suspension.  In  the  records  of  the  Board 
the  word  "removed"  was  unfortunately  used  instead  of 
"suspended,"  for  this  was  all  the  Board  could  do  and  all 
that  was  really  done.  The  Board  under  the  constitution  as 
it  then  existed,  had  no  right  to  remove  permanently.  They 
could  only  suspend  temporarily  till  the  Synods  could  act. 
As  the  Synods  did  not  approve  what  the  Board  had  done 
its  action  went  for  naught,  and  left  the  Professor  the  law- 
ful incumbent  of  the  chair,  which  the  Board  afterwards 
unanimously  declared.  The  Board  cannot,  therefore,  be 
chargeable  with  his  removal  before  the  Synods  had  con- 
sidered the  case  or  that  he  was  removed  without  a  trial. 
He  was  not  actually  removed  till  after  the  action  of  all 
the  Synods.  The  only  error  of  the  Board  was  the  incor- 
rect use  of  the  word  "removed"  in  their  records. 

But  the  thing  chiefly  complained  of  by  Dr.  Woodrow 
and  his  friends,  was  the  absence  of  a  special  and  formal 
trial  to  test  his  orthodoxy  and  suitableness  for  the  profes- 
sorship. But  a  moment's  thought  will  show  that  this  was 
neither  possible  nor  necessary. 

This  trial  could  not  be  by  the  Board.  The  Board  had 
no  right  to  try  him  for  anything,  and  certainly  not  for  his 
orthodoxy.  That  w'as  the  province  solely  of  his  Presby- 
tery. No  provision  was  made  for  th:e  organizing  of  the 
Board  into  a  court  and  sitting  in  judgment  upon  a  man's  the- 
olgy.  Dr.  Woodrow  virtually  admitted  this  when  he  refused 
to  appear  before  them,  when  invited,  to  show  reason  why 
he  should  not  be  removed.  He  knew  full  well  that  they 
had  no  right  to  summon  him  into  their  presence,  which 
they  would,  had  they  been  a  legally  organized  Court. 

Nor  could  he  be  tried  in  this  manner  by  the  Synods, 
especially  as  there  were  four  of  them.    We  know  of  no  law 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     249 

in  our  Ecclesiastical  affairs,  whereby  four  Synods  could 
form  themselves  into  a  court  for  the  trial  of  a  minister's 
orthodoxy.  No  provision  for  any  such  anomaly  as  that.  The 
Synod  of  Georgia  could  sit  in  judgment  upon  his  orthodoxy 
in  an  appeal,  but  what  had  the  Synods  of  South  Carolina, 
Alabama  and  South  Georgia  and  Florida  to  do  with  that 
matter?  All  that  the  Synods  could  do,  would  be  to  sit  in 
judgment  upon  his  fitness  simply  as  a  professor,  and  to  say 
whether  in  their  judgment,  he  was  a  suitable  man  to  fill  the 
position  or  not,  and  which  they  could  without  any  formal 
trial,  and  in  his  absence  as  well  as  in  his  presence,  they 
having  the  undoubted  and  absolute  right  to  say  whether  a 
man  shall  teach  in  their  institution  and  the  right  to  dis- 
miss for  any  reason,  if  displeased,  without  giving  any  rea- 
son, than  simply  to  say,  you  do  not  suit  us. 

Dr.  Woodrow  seems  to  have  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that 
his  election  was  not  for  life  irrespective  of  any  and  all 
considerations  outside  of  his  orthodoxy.  In  all  covenants 
or  contracts,  in  which  no  time  is  specified,  it  is  understood 
that  the  continuance  is  at  the  will  of  the  parties.  Either 
may  withdraw  at  any  time  if  they  see  fit  to  do  so,  as  in 
the  appointment  of  judges  of  the  court,  the  selection  of 
teachers  in  schools  and  colleges,  and  the  installation  of 
pastors  in  churches.  No  court,  institution  of  learning  or 
church  would  do  .such  a  foolish  thing  as  to  bind  itself  to 
any  incumbent  for  life.  And  the  Seminary  could  be  no  ex- 
ception. To  deny  the  right  to  the  Synods  to  change  their 
professors  when  the  interest  of  the  seminary  demanded  it, 
would  be  to  rob  them  of  all  controlling  authority  and  make 
the  will  of  the  Prfessor  supreme  in  the  matter.  It  was  un- 
fortunate that  this  underlying  error  w^as  not  more  distinct- 
ly emphasized  in  the  debate. 

We  have  a  parallel  in  the  case  of  Dr.  Plumer,  when  tho 
Assembly  in  1880  approved  of  his  removal  by  the  Board, 
on  account  of  his  age,  and  that  too,  without  any  other  cere- 
mony or  formal  trial  than  a  simple  resolution.  And  strange 
enough,  too,  that  some  w^ho  were  so  hearty  in  the  removal 
of  Dr.  Plumer  were  so  bitterly  opposed  to  the  removal  of 
Dr.  Woodrow,  though  the  cases  were  analogous.  Dr.  Plumer 


250     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

denied  the  charge  of  incompetency  and  plead  the  contin- 
uance of  the  contract.  The  Assembly,  then,  was  shut  up 
to  one  of  two  things:  Either  to  resolve  itself  into  a  court 
to  establish  his  superannuation,  or  else  continue  him  as 
professor,  to  the  gre'at  detriment  of  the  institution.  To 
do  the  former,  would  be  to  make  this  high  court  guilty  of 
a  most  shameful  and  unheard  of  thing,  a  thing  without 
law  or  precedent;  to  do  the  latter  w^ould  be  to  surrender 
all  control  of  its  own  property,  and  prove  itself  recreant 
to  its  trust. 

The  same  principle  applies  to  the  case  before  us.  Dr. 
Woodrow  denied  the  charge  of  disqualification,  and  plead 
the  continuance  of  the  contract.  Nothing  was  left  the 
Synods  to  do,  but  either  to  assert  their  authority  and  vacate 
the  chair,  or  else  surrender  the  institution  to  the  professor 
and  his  friends. 

We  repeat,  that  the  only  trial  outside  of  the  Presby- 
tery, known  in  the  annals  of  Ecclesiastical  law  whether  by 
the  Board  or  the  Synods,  to  which  the  professor  was  sub- 
ject, would  be  for  them  simply  to  say  whether  or  not  in 
their  judgment  he  was  suitable  and  acceptable,  and  that 
too  without  form  or  ceremony.  And  in  this  sense  he  was 
fully  tried  both  by  the  Board  and  the  four  controlling 
Synods. 

Even  if  it  were  possible  for  the  Synods  to  organize 
themselves  into  a  court  and  give  him  a  formal  trial,  of 
what  use  would  it  be?  For  it  must  be  remembered  that 
the  only  thing  for  which  Dr.  Woodrow  was  to  be  tried  was 
his  Evolution  theory.  That  was  the  only  ground  of  ob- 
jection to  him  and  the  only  reason  for  his  removal.  If  an 
Evolutionist,  he  was  not  wanted.  That  was  the  whole  of  it. 
The  question  then  comes  up,  what  was  the  use  of  any  trial, 
formal  or  otherwise,  when  he  admitted  the  fact,  and  his 
address  was  open  to  every  one?  Why  try  a  culprit  after  he 
confesses  guilt?  Wherein  the  necessity  of  any  sort  of  trial 
to  prove  what  he  never  denied? 

But  the  greatest  error  of  the  Professor,  and  that,  too, 
which  seemed  to  have  confused  the  minds  of  so  many,  was 
his  demand  of  the  Synods  that  they     show     wherein  his 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     251 

views  were  contrary  to  the  Scriptures.  From  the  persist- 
ent refusal  to  tender  his  resignation  the  Professor  seemed 
to  think  that  the  Synods  were  bound  to  show  his  error  and 
convince  him  of  the  unscripturalness  of  his  views,  before 
they  would  have  a  right  to  remove  him.  But  that  was  a 
question  with  which  they  were  not  concerned  just  then,  as 
they  had  already  considered  it,  and  in  a  condemnatory 
way  in  their  sessions  at  Marietta.  Why  consider  it  again? 
Besides,  they  did  not  feel  called  upon  to  correct  the  erro- 
neous views  of  the  Professor.  It  was  enough  for  them  to  be 
convinced  in  their  own  minds  that  they  were  unscriptual 
and  should  be  kept  out  of  the  Seminary. 

Here  then  were  the  two  erroneous  positions  of  the 
Professor. 

1st.  That  his  appointment  was  for  life,  irrespective 
of  any  and  all  considerations,  except  the  matter  of  heresy. 

2nd.  The  necessity  of  convincing  him  of  the  unscrip- 
turalness of  his  views,  before  the  Synods  would  have  the 
right  to  remove  him.  Both  of  w'hich  w^ere  contrary  to 
reason  and  the  common  practice  of  mankind. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  review  without  noticing  th'? 
action  of  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida.  In  their 
judgment  they  said:  "The  Board  ought  first  to  have  asked 
if  he  would  not  cease  teaching  his  peculiar  views?"  But 
that  would  have  been  of  no  practical  value,  as  it  was  after- 
wards tried  and  brought  no  relief.  Obviously  that  was  not 
the  way  to  reach  the  evil.  The  mischief  was  already  done. 
His  views  had  been  promulgated  far  and  wide.  And  even 
if  he  did  not  say  a  single  word,  he  could  not  remain  a  Pro- 
fessor without  teaching  them.  And  indeed  those  viewg 
would  be  but  the  more  widely  advertised  by  the  very  con 
spicuousness  of  the  silence.  Then  see  the  awkward  and 
anomalous  position,  of  having  an  institution  with  a  Pro- 
fessor of  pronounced  views  and  yet  restrained  and  muz- 
zled from  expressing  them,  and  who  could  not  be  question- 
ed by  the  students,  and  when  interrogated,  dare  not  give 
an  opinion.  Who  desires  such  a  professor,  or  would  pat- 
ronize such  an  institution? 

Any  one  can  see  at  a  glance,  that  any  Professor  would 


252     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

at  once  be  disqualified  by  such  a  muzzling.  The  Board  so 
thought,  so  the  Synods;  and  so  the  General  Assembly,  as 
appears  from  the  fact  that  in  the  end  they  all  voted  for 
his  removal,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  had  prom- 
ised to  drop  the  subject  of  Evolution  altogether  out  of  the 
course  of  lectures. 

We  think  we  have  said  enough  to  show  that  there  was 
no  necessity  for  any  trial  either  to  prove  that  Dr.  Wood- 
row  held  to  the  theory  of  Evolution,  or  to  find  out  whether  he 
would  cease  from  teaching  it,  and  therefore  the  utter  want 
of  any  foundation  for  the  charge  of  injustice  done  him  in 
not  granting  him  a  formal  trial,  since  he  was  removed 
simply  and  solely  for  the  reason  that  he  w^as  an  Evolu- 
tionist, which  neither  himself  nor  his  friends  denied.  If 
an  Evolutionist,  the  case  was  fully  m'ade  out  and  further 
dalliance  utterly  useless. 

3.  A  third  thing  worthy  of  notice  was  the  manner  of 
conducting  the  debate  and  the  arguments  employed.  A 
great  deal  said  was  irrelevant,  and  a  great  deal  mislead- 
ing and  fallacious.  A  great  deal  was  said  concerning  the 
Scriptures,  "as  interpreted  in  our  standards,"  but  very  lit- 
tle about  the  Scriptures  themselves.  The  assailants  of  Dr. 
Woodrow's  theory  argued  that  the  hypothesis  was  un- 
proved; but  how  easy  the  retort  that  in  that  very  saying 
the  church  courts  were  themselves  settling  a  scientific 
question  which  they  had  avowed  to  be  outside  their 
sphere,  as  Dr.  Whaling  and  others  charged  the  Assembly 
with  in  their  protest.  So  there  was  also  an  utter  lack  of  a 
clear  cut  and  well  defined  definition  of  the  term  Evolution, 
and  which  led  to  so  much  confusion,  and  useless  discus- 
sion. If  simple  development,  as  in  the  minds  of  many, 
very  few  would  object  to  being  called  evolutionists.  But 
it  especially  seemed  unfortunate,  and  a  defect  in  the  argu- 
ment, that  the  great  law  of  creation  as  given  by  Moses,  in 
the  opening  chapter  of  Genesis,  was  not  distinctly  stated 
and  insisted  upon.  That  law  is  very  explicitly  stated  in 
Gen.  1.  24: 

"And   God    said   let   the  earth   bring   forth   the   living 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     269 

finds   its   parallel   only   in   the     celebrated     New    England 
Witch  Craze  in  1692. 

THE  CHRIST  CRAZE. 

In  the  early  part  of  1889,  a  white  man  named  Dupont 
Bell  appeared  suddenly  in  the  lower  part  of  the  County, 
from  whence  not  definitely  known,  though  from  Ohio,  it 
was  said,  slender  in  form,  about  thirty-five  years  of  age,  of 
rather  pleasing  appearance,  open  countenance,  with  long 
flowing  beard,  and  hair  of  light  sandy  color,  parted  in  the 
middle,  somewhat  curly,  and  resting  upon  his  shoulders; 
attired  in  copper  colored  suit,  with  a  sailor's  oilcloth  hat 
and  colored  shoes,  and  withal  remarkably  well  versed  in 
the  Scriptures. 

This  man  knocked  at  a  house  occupied  by  a  colored 
man  and  family  at  a  late  hour  in  the  night.  Being  refused 
admittance  on  account  of  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  the 
family  all  having  retired,  he  stated  that  if  they  knew  who 
it  was  that  knocked  they  would  not  hesitate  to  open  to 
him.  On  being  asked  w^ho  he  was,  he  made  to  them  the 
startling  announcement  that  he  was  the  Christ  and  that  if 
they  would  call  their  neighbors  and  friends  together  he 
would  make  known  to  them  the  object  of  his  mission. 

By  the  next  day  a  considerable  number  were  gathered 
together,  when  he  proceeded  to  tell  them  that  he  was 
Jesus,  who  had  been  crucified  and  risen  from  the  dead. 
To  confirm  their  credulity,  he  asked  them  if  they  did  not 
remember  the  great  earthquake  which  they  had  a  few 
years  before  (1886)  and  if  they  were  not  all  shaken  at  that 
time?  Said  he,  "that  shaking  was  produced  by  my  com- 
ing. You  have  been  praying  for  my  coming,  I  am  now 
come,  and  there  is  no  need  to  pray  anymore;  no  necessity 
of  planting  or  doing  anything  more,  but  to  get  ready;  that 
the  world  would  come  to  an  end  in  August;  and  that  as 
Moses  led  the  Israelites  into  the  promised  land,  so  in 
about  forty  days  he  would  lead  them  to  Jerusalem.  He 
told  them  the  people  would  soon  rise  against  him  and  have 
a  Sanhedrim  Court,  and  would  cast  him  out  as  they  did  be- 
fore, but  it  makes  no  difference  if  they  would  only  stand 
up  to  him." 


270     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

This  be  did  from  day  to  day.  The  congregations  con- 
tinued to  increase.  The  colored  people  flocked  from  all 
the  surrounding  country.  In  a  few  weeks  he  had  between 
two  and  three  hundred  followers.  A  bush  arbor  was  first 
erected  near  the  junction  of  the  Riceboro  and  Mcintosh 
roads,  under  which  they  met  for  a  while,  but  afterwards 
they  removed  to  Mr.  Walthour's  "Homestead  place,"  a  few 
miles  further  back  in  the  country,  where  they  met  every 
day  under  two  majestic  live  oaks,  covering  at  least  a  quar- 
ter of  an  acre  of  ground,  where  they  had  a  box  placed, 
termed  "The  Ark,"  and  into  which  the  people  deposited  all 
their  money,  which  they  had  been  told  was  now  useless. 
The  people  became  almost  frantic  with  excitement.  The 
nearest  surrounding  Churches  were  drawn  heavily  upon 
and  for  the  time  even  threatened  with  extinction,  as  Bell 
had  told  them  that  their  pastors  were  imposing  upon  them, 
robbing  them  and  preaching  for  money,  for  which  he  gave 
them  no  authority,  as  he  himself  went  without  money  or 
scrip. 

The  people  became  deluded  with  the  belief  that  Bell 
was  the  Christ  from  his  singular  appearance,  his  wonder- 
ful knowledge  of  the  Scriptures  and  also  his  pretended 
power  to  work  miracles.  For  on  one  occasion,  while  walk- 
ing along  the  road,  said  he  to  a  crowd,  "Did  not  Christ, 
when  on  earth,  convert  water  into  wine?  Hand  me  half 
a  dollar."  He  took  the  money  and  put  it  into  a  tin  bucket, 
which  one  of  them  had,  then  shaking  the  bucket  turned  it 
upon  the  ground,  when  lo,  by  a  dexterous  turn,  a  dollar  roll- 
ed out,  which  was  accepted  as  a  genuine  miracle  by  his  ad- 
mining  followers. 

His  power  over  them  was  truly  marvellous.  Indeed  he 
seemed  to  have  had  perfect  control,  they  holding  them- 
selves to  do  his  every  bidding.  In  obedience  to  his  behest, 
they  ceased  working,  neglected  their  farms,  sold  their 
goods  and  lived  together  upon  the  proceeds. 

By  the  middle  of  August,  their  proceedings  became  so 
disorderly  and  riotous,  and  the  community  so  demoralized, 
that  the  sober  people,  both  white  and  colored,  felt  that 
something  must  be  done  to  arrest  the  evil,  as  it  had    become 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     271 

a  standing  menace  to  the  continuance  of  good  order,  for 
they  had  not  only  abandoned  their  homes  and  farms,  but 
many  of  them  had  begun  to  show  signs  of  mental  aberra- 
tion. Whereupon  a  warrant  of  vagrancy  was  sworn  out 
against  said  Bell.  He  was  arrested  and  carried  to  Flem- 
ington  before  the  Magistrate,  Captain  W.  A.  Fleming,  for 
commitment  trial.  He  was  carried  in  a  buggy  guarded 
by  officers  and  armed  men,  to  prevent  disturbance.  The 
negroes  followed  their  Christ  as  they  termed  him,  in 
crowds.  Instead  of  trying  him  at  that  time,  the  Magistrate 
appointed  a  day  for  hearing  the  case  at  Mcintosh  SJ:ation. 
As  the  prisoner  was  carried  back  the  crowd  followed,  frant- 
ically shouting,  singing  and  crying,  "This  is  our  Jesus  who 
was  nailed  to  the  tree."  Before  the  day  of  trial  it  was 
thought  best  to  change  the  form  of  the  warrant  from  vag- 
rancy to  that  of  lunacy,  as  it  was  obvious  that  Bell  w^as 
deranged.  A  jury  was  accordingly  summoned,  and  upon 
a  formal  trial  in  August,  1889,  he  was  adjudged,  "Non 
compos  mentis,"  and  a  short  while  afterwards  sent  to  the 
Asylum  at  Milledgeville,  where  he  still  remains  confined. 
After  Bell's  sentence,  and  before  leaving  for  the  Asy- 
lum, he  appointed  his  right  hand  man  and  Counsellor,  Ed- 
ward James,  at  that  time  a  Colored  Magistrate,  as  his  suc- 
cessor, and  left  every  thing  in  his  hands,  with  full  author- 
ity to  carry  on  the  government,  till  his  return,  which  he 
said,  would  be  in  a  very  short  time.  Bell  had  told  the  peo- 
ple that  his  spirit  would  return,  and  probably  in  the  per- 
son and  form  of  a  colored  man;  and  as  James  claimed  to 
have  the  spirit  of  Bell,  they  believed  him  and  were  there- 
fore ready  to  accord  him  all  honor  and  authority,  and 
which  he  was  not  slow  to  receive,  and  which  he  resigned 
his  magistracy  to  accept.  For  a  short  time  James  carried 
it  with  a  high  hand,  and  issuing  orders  which  were  im- 
plicitly obeyed.  In  obedience  to  his  orders,  the  people  con- 
tinued to  cast  their  silver  into  the  "Ark,"  which  none  of 
them  dared  touch,  as  Bell  had  assured  them  that  the  per- 
son touching  the  same  would  instantly  be  smitten  of  the 
Lord.  Upon  David  James  endeavoring  to  get  his  brother 
Edward  away,  the  people  in  their  fury  fell  upon  one  Sam- 


272     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  L\   GEORGIA 

uel  Carter,  who  had  accompanied  him,  and  beat  him  quite 
severely.  In  a  general  melee  that  followed,  some  outside 
parties,  more  under  the  influence  of  cupidity  than 
feelings  of  piety,  stole  all  the  money  and  carried  it  off. 
Soon  after  this  James  was  arrested  and  tried  on  charge  of 
lunacy  and  adjudged  insane  and  sent  to  the  asylum  at 
Millegeville,  where  he  died. 

Under  and  in  connection  wath  his  leadership  rose  one 
Shadrach  Walthour,  who  often  hearing  Bell  speak  of  Sol- 
omon's greatness,  vainly  imagined  himself  to  be  that  per- 
sonage, and  therefore  styled  himself  as  "King  Solomon," 
and  by  which  appellation  he  was  generally  recognized.  But 
unfortunately  for  this  would-be  king,  he  was  soon  arrested 
under  the  charge  of  disorderly  conduct  and  placed  in  the 
county  jail  at  Hinesville  where,  while  awaiting  his  trial,  he 
suddenly  and  rather  mysteriously  died.  The  jailor  was 
thought  to  be  the  cause  of  his  death  *and  w^as  afterwards 
tried  under  charge  of  murder,  but  was  acquitted. 

After  the  arrest  of  "king  Solomon,"  the  government 
and  leadership  were  left  in  the  hands  of  Ellen  Roberts,  as 
"Queen  Mary,"  or  "Virgin  Mary,"  or  "Queen  of  Sheba,"  as 
she  was  variously  styled.  And  under  this  appellation,  and 
under  her  more  gentle  sway,  the  affairs  of  the  Society 
were  conducted  until  the  close. 

Upon  the  removal  of  Bell  all  restraint  seemed  to  be 
removed,  and  such  orgies  and  abominations  practiced  as 
hardly  to  be  believed.  Eye  wimesses  say  that  the  picture 
can  hardly  be  overdrawn.  Among  other  things  they  w^ere 
even  charged  with  laying  aside  the  marital  vow  under  the 
delusive  idea  of  having  "Things  in  common."  But  we  draw 
the  vail  over  this  part  of  the  proceedings. 

With  Bell,  their  Christ,  and  his  Deputy  James,  both  in 
the  Asylum,  with  Solomon  their  King,  under  arrest,  and 
held  in  "durance  vile"  for  misdemeanor,  and  with  several 
of  their  prominent  leaders  hopelessly  insane  and  the  strong- 
arm  of  the  law  beginning  to  assert  its  authority,  the  de- 
lusion gradually  fell  out  of  view.  Though  for  a  time,  it 
was  said,  they  still  had  a  queen  to  whom  they  secretly  did 
homage.     The  Craze,  like  a  passing  storm,  shook  mightily 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IX  GEORGIA     273 

for  a  while  some  of  the  churches  of  the  neighborhood.  The 
Congregational,  near  by,  but  especially  the  two  Baptist 
churches  at  Newporc,  and  the  Methodist  at  Mcintosh,  were 
for  a  time  considerably  brought  under  the  influence  of  this 
ecclesiastical  maelstrom. 

Concerning  this  delusion  we  have  to  say: 

1.  That  Bell  was  obviously  a  crazy  man,  and  therefore 
we  are  not  to  be  astonished  at  any  of  his  hallucinations  and 
vagaries. 

2.  That  while  this  was  the  case,  it  nevertheless  can- 
/:ot  but  be  a  matter  of  considerable  astonishment  that  he 
obtained  a  large  following,  and  especially  in  such  a  county, 
where  so  much  had  been  done  for  the  religious  instruction 
of  the  negroes,  and  it  is  only  on  this  account  that  it  is 
worthy  of  notice,  especially  as  it  might  and  has  been  used 
as  an  argument  against  the  work  of  the  churches  in  be- 
half of  this  race. 

3.  Truth  and  justice  to  the  sainted  dead,  to  Dr.  Jones 
and  his  coadjutors,  who  so  faithfully  labored  for  their  spir- 
itual welfare,  demand  the  statement  that  very  few,  if  any, 
of  the  regular  descendants  of  the  old  Midway  people,  were 
led  off  by  the  delusion,  or  took  any  part  in  those  scenes. 
And  this  was  especially  true  of  those  who  had  lived 
around  the  old  church,  of  which  Rev.  J.  T.  H.  Waite  was 
pastor,  and  which  is  now  Presbyterian.  The  same  is  true 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  on  the  other  side,  at  Riceboro, 
of  which  Rev.  B.  L.  Glenn,  colored,  was  pastor.  The  drain 
was  upon  the  congregations  and  churches  above  enumerat- 
ed. 

From  which  we  see: 

1st.  The  utter  unfairness  of  declaring  that  the  work 
among  the  colored  people  was  a  failure. 

2nd.  The  wisdom  of  Dr.  C.  C.  Jones  and  others,  in 
not  encouraging  the  separate  organization  of  the  colored 
people  into  a  separate  church  of  their  own.  The  question 
of  a  separate  and  independent  church  for  the  colored  peo- 
ple, w^ith  only  colored  ministers  and  without  any  aid  or 
oversight  from  the  white  race,  under  present  environments 
at  least,  may  be  regarded  still  an  open  one. 


274     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

3rd.  A  third  inference  is  the  entire  suitableness  of 
the  Presbyterian  form  of  government  for  the  illiterate  and 
uneducated.  The  church  of  Mr.  Glenn  (Presbyterian)  was 
not  at  all  disturbed  by  the  commotion,  having  lost  none  of 
its  members  while  that  of  Mr.  Waite  on  the  other  side, 
lost  but  a  few,  and  only  temporarily.  The  government  of 
a  congregation,  by  an  intelligent  board  of  officers,  with  an 
educated  minister,  and  well  taught  and  trained  Elders,  is 
rational  and  effective,  as  well  as  in  harmony  with  the  gen- 
eral teachings  of  the  Scriptures.  To  leave  the  government  in 
the  hands  of  an  ignorant  and  untrained  populace,  is  to 
leave  it  in  a  state  of  insecurity,  for  there  is  room  for  con- 
siderable swing  in  any  direction. 

4th.  Our  final  remark  is,  that  the  most  astonishing 
thing  in  connection  with  the  whole  matter  is  that  the 
scenes  of  these  outrageous  proceedings  was,  as  already 
hinted,  almost  within  sight,  and  under  the  very  shadow  of 
a  large  flourishing  institution,  erected  by  Northern  Congre- 
gationalists  for  the  colored  people.  In  justice  to  said 
institution  let  it  be  said: 

First.  That  the  teachers  were  away  at  the  time,  hav- 
ing returned  to  the  North,  whither  they  go  every  summer 
on  account  of  health,  during  the  sickly  season.  Their 
presence  might  have  done  much  in  way  of  restraint. 

Second.  Whatever  might  be  said  of  the  church  and 
congregation,  I  have  no  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  any  of 
the  pupils  of  said  Institution,  ever  took  any  part  in  those 
proceedings. 

Third.  The  Institution  had  hardly  been  in  existence 
long  enough  to  permeate  all  classes  with  its  refining  and 
elevating  influences,  as  to  shield  a  whole  district  from 
such  an  inroad.  The  elevation  of  a  people  from  a  state  of 
ignorance  and  servitude  must  be  necessarily  slow.  If  Bell 
had  deferred  his  visit  till  now,  he  might  not  have  been  so 
successful  in  securing  followers."  Pages  193-199. 

We  have  reproduced  the  above,  not  only  on  account  of 
its  extreme  marvelousness,  but  that  we  might  make  the 
additional  remark  that  such  proceedings  could  never  have 
occurred  in  the  days  of  slavery,  when  the  two  races  wor- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     275 

shipped  together  and  furthermore  that  the  only  way  to 
prevent  the  recurrence  of  these  and  similar  scenes  is  for 
the  white  race  to  feel  a  deeper  interest  in,  and  do  more  for 
the  religious  uplift  and  training  of  the  colored  people.  We 
are  glad  to  be  able  to  state  that  some  of  the  churches  are 
waking  up  to  a  sense  of  responsibility  in  this  matter  and 
putting  forth  special  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  colored  people 
and  that  their  efforts  are  crowned  with  an  encouraging  de- 
gree of  success. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY. 

Dr.  John  S.  Wilson  in  his  Necrology,  asserts  that  "To 
Hopewell  belongs  the  honor  of  taking  the  initative  for  the 
establishing  of  a  Theological  Seminary  in  the  South." 
This  statement  needs  some  qualifications.  If  the  establish- 
ment of  an  independent  Seminary  is  meant,  it  is  true;  but 
not  true  if  the  appointment  of  a  Professor  of  Theology  in 
a  Literary  Institution,  for  there  was  such  a  Professor  in 
Hampden  Sidney  College  by  the  appointment  of  Hanover 
Presbytery  as  early  as  1812.  No  matter  how  we  interpret 
the  statement,  it  is  true  that  to  the  aforesaid  Presbytery 
belongs  the  honor  at  least  of  making  an  early  and  praise- 
worthy effort  in  the  direction  of  establishing  such  a  Semi- 
nary, as  appears  from  the  following  account: 

In  1809,  in  answer  to  an  overture  on  the  subject  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  the  General  Assembly  de- 
termined to  establish  an  Institution  for  the  better  training 
of  her  ministers,  and  sent  down  to  the  Presbyteries  an 
Overture  to  vote  upon  and  deeide  which  of  the  three  pro- 
posed plans  should  be  adopted,  viz:  (1)  Whether  they 
should  establish  "one  great  School  in  the  centre  of  the 
bounds  of  the  church;"  (2)  Or  "Two  such  schools  for  the 
better  accommodation  of  the  Northern  and  Southern  di- 
visions of  the  Church,"  (3)  "Or  such  a  school  in  the 
bounds  of  each  Synod."  The  majority  having  expressed 
themselves  in  favor  of  one  school,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed, of  which  Dr.  Ashbel  Green  was  chairman,  to  pre- 
pare at  once  a  plan  for  the  Seminary.  The  Committee  re- 
ported at  the  next  meeting,  and  after  due  consideration, 
the  Assembly  finally  adopted  a  Constitution,  in  1812,  and 
proceeded  to  elect  a  Professor  of  Theology,  which  resulted 
in  the  choice  of  Dr.  Archibald  Alexander.  Dr.  Samuel 
Miller  was  chosen  the  next  year  and  in  1821,  nine  years 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


FOREIGN   MISSIONS. 

In  nothing,  perhaps  has  the  Synod  made  greater  prog- 
ress than  in  her  work  in  foreign  fields.  At  first  little  or 
nothing  was  done  in  that  direction,  not  only  because  of  the 
inaccessibility  of  those  fields,  not  being  open  as  now,  but 
also  because  the  church,  at  that  early  period,  felt  that  they 
themselves  were  In  a  certain  sense,  a  foreign  and  needy 
field.  But  with  the  opening  of  the  Eastern  world  by  the 
visit  of  Commodore  Perry  in  1853,  and  the  expansion  and 
development  of  the  church  at  home,  the  interest  in  Mis- 
sions has  also  been  growing,  till  now  the  whole  church  is 
becoming  more  and  more  enthused  with  the  importance  of 
the  work. 

We  think  we  can  safely  say,  that  never  has  the  world 
been  so  stirred  on  the  subject,  as  at  present;  never  such 
general  and  wide  spread  interest,  never  such  zeal,  such 
liberality,  such  success,  such  loud  and  continued  calls  for 
money  and  men.  Witness  the  numerous  Ladies  Mission- 
ary Societies,  and  their  unwearied  zeal  and  devotion  to 
the  cause,  and  the  interest  manifested  even  by  the  child- 
ren, but  especially  the  recent  "Lay  Movement,"  originated 
and  supported  by  the  men  of  the  church.  Indeed  so  great 
the  interest  and  marvellous  the  success,  that  the  idea  is 
now  taking  hold  of  the  minds  of  the  people,  at  first  a  mere 
random  thought  uttered  by  some  one,  but  now  becoming 
a  settled  conviction,  and  an  article  of  belief,  that  the 
evangelization  of  the  world  is  to  be  accomplished  with  this 
generation. 

The  increasing  zeal  of  God's  people  appears  from  their 
increasing  liberality.  Formerly  the  contributions  to  this 
cause  were  sporadic  and  small,  and  were  the  result  of 
special  appeals,  and  under  the  stimulus  of  a  visit  of  a 
church  agent,  but  now  in  a  regular  systematic  way  with- 
out the  need  of  such  agents.     The  amount  contributed  by 


262     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

the  Synod  for  Foreign  Missions  during  the  past  year  (1911) 
was  $37,935,  seven  years  ago,  $14,855. 

This  growing  zeal  further  shows  itself  in  the  increas- 
ing number  of  those  who  are  contributing  to  the  support  of 
Missionaries  outside  of  their  regular  contributions.  It  is 
encouraging  as  well  as  astonishing  to  know  the  number  of 
these  churches  and  individuals  who  have  pledged  them- 
selves, in  whole  or  in  part,  for  the  support  of  Mission- 
aries. There  are  at  least  thirty  of  these  in  the  Synod,  and 
the  number  is  constantly  multiplying. 

That  the  evangelization  of  the  w^orld  is  moving  on 
apace,  and  that,  too,  at  an  increasing  rate  of  speed,  must 
be  obvious  to  the  most  casual  observer.  The  fulfillment  of 
prophecy  points  to  a  speedy  approach  of  the  Millennium 
when  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  establish- 
ed on  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  all  nations  shall  flow 
unto  it,  when  the  "the  little  stone  cut  out  of  the  mountain 
without  hands  shall  become  the  huge  mountain  and  fill  the 
whole  earth." 

Whether  this  evangelization  is  to  be  in  this  generation, 
we  will  not  affirm.  All  that  we  can  say  is,  that  the  accum- 
ulation of  prayer  is  going  on  at  the  throne  of  the  heavenly 
grace,  the  seed  being  widely  sown,  the  gospel  w411  soon  be 
preached  to  every  creature,  all  then  that  will  be  needed 
will  be  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  to  secure  the  birth  of 
nations  in  a  day. 

Nor  yet  does  the  approach  of  this  glorious  day  necessi- 
tate the  conversion  of  all  men.  The  wheat  and  tares  are 
to  grow  together  till  the  harvest,  when  the  angel  reapers 
are  to  go  forth  and  gather  the  wheat  into  the  garner  of 
the  Lord,  but  bind  the  tares  in  bundles  that  they  may  be 
burned.  The  teaching  of  Scripture  is  that  there  is  to  be  a 
falling  away  first  before  the  end,  and  the  question  comes 
is  the  church  now  entering  into  that  period?  If  the  views 
held  by  many,  that  the  seven  Apocalyptic  churches  are 
seven  progressive  periods  of  the  church  on  earth  be  true, 
then  the  Lord  is  yet  to  spue  out  of  his  mouth  the  church 
of  today,  not  for  the  want  of  outward  activity,  but  misin- 
terpreting that  activity,  in  saying,  on  account  of  that  very 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     263 

activity,  that  she  was  rich  and  had  need  of  nothing,  where- 
as, she  was  spiritually  poor  and  wretched  and  blind.  If 
we  interpret  prophecy  aright,  there  is  yet  to  be  a  great 
earthquake,  or  upheaval  such  as  never  before,  or  the  like 
of  which  will  ever  again  be  seen,  of  which  John  speaks. 
This  is  only  the  sowing  time,  and  this  sowing  can  be  done 
by  people  of  the  world,  as  well  as  the  people  of  God,  and 
all  this  outward  activity  can  easily  be  mistaken  for  relig- 
ious zeal.  God  may  allow,  for  the  advancement  of  his 
truth,  all  the  present  methods  of  man's  devising  and  mul- 
tiplied forms  of  self  imposed  "Will  worship,"  but  in  the 
end  judgments  are  to  come,  and  some  great  movement  or 
revolution  will  arise  in  the  very  heart  of  the  church  which 
is  to  usher  in  the  Millennial  reign  of  righteousness  and 
peace. 

FOREIGN  MISSIONARIES. 

There  have  gone  out  from  Synod  the  following  Mission- 
aries: 

Is't.  The  first  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R.  Q.  Way,  who 
went  out  from  the  old  Midway  Church,  Liberty  County, 
to  Ningpo,  China,  in  1845,  the  year  in  which  the  Synod 
was  organized.  Both  were  natives  of  said  Church  and 
County,  Mrs.  Way  being  the  daughter  of  the  pastor,  Rev. 
Robert  Quarferman.  This  was  the  first  missionary  move- 
ment in  the  State,  and  the  second  in  the  south,  the  first 
being  the  Rev.  Abiel  Stevens,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of 
Liberty  County,  and  sent  out  by  the  Baptist  Board  at  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  to  Burmah,  in  18 — 

2nd.  The  second  Missionary  was  Mr.  Jno.  Winn  Quar- 
terman,  and  brother  of  Mrs.  Way,  and  went  to  Ningpo, 
China,  1846,  where  he  died  of  smallpox,  October  14,  1857, 
the  first  to  fall  at  his  post,  and  give  his  body  in  trust  to 
the  soil  of  China. 

3.  The  next  was  Rev.  William  Le  Conte,  another  na- 
tive of  Liberty  County,  who  went  to  Brazil  in  1872. 

4.  Miss  Safford,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Safford. 

5.  Rev.  W.  H.  Sheppard,  colored,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
educated  at  Tuscaloosa,  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Tuscaloosa,  ordained  by  Atlanta  Presbytery,  and  in  com- 


264     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

pany  with  the  lamented  Lapsley,  went  as  a  pioneer  mis- 
sionary to  Africa,  and  where  lie  labored  with  such  wonder- 
ful success,  until  recalled  a  year  ago. 

6th.  Rev.  R.  P.  Baird,  missionary  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery  to  Brazil,  died  on  the  train  at  Jesup,  Georgia, 
Nov.  9th,  1909. 

7th.  The  Rev.  H.  M.  Perkins  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Savannah. 

In  addition  to  these  were  Rev.  Thomas  Clay  Winn, 
son  of  Rev.  John  Winn,  and  Miss  Harriet  Leila  Winn, 
daughter  of  Rev.  T.  S.  Winn,  all  the  descendants  from 
Midway  Church,  though  not  at  the  time  connected  with 
the  Synod  of  Georgia.  The  latter  went  to  Kanahawa, 
Japan,  in  1877  as  a  missionary  of  the  Northern  Church; 
the  former  to  Japan  under  the  care  of  the  Dutch  Reform- 
ed Church  in  1873. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


WORK  AMONG  THE  COLORED  PEOPLE. 

We  find  nothing  specially  done  for  the  colored  people 
in  Georgia  till  the  organization  of  the  Presbytery  of  Geor- 
gia in  1821  and  for  the  reason,  we  presume,  that  there  were 
comparatively  few  slaves  in  the  up-country.  As  that 
Presbytery  embraced  all  the  Seacoast,  where  the  larger 
portion  of  the  colored  people  dwelt,  we  naturally  expect 
it  would  take  the  initiative;  and  so  we  find. 

The  place  where  we  find  the  first  manifest  interest  in 
the  colored  people  was  in  the  bounds  of  the  Old  Midway 
Church,  Liberty  County,  and  even  there  no  special  efforts 
were  made  for  a  number  of  years.  No  provision  made  for 
them  in  the  first  log  house,  nor  even  in  the  second,  till 
1770,  when  it  was  ordered  that  a  gallery  be  made  commod 
ious  for  the  white  and  a  shed  be  added  for  the  colored 
people.  During  Mr.  Holmes'  ministry  some  stimulus 
seems  to  have  been  given  to  their  religious  instruction,  ae 
a  booth  or  arbor  was  erected  near  rho  Church  for  them. 
The  interest  continued  during  Mr.  Gilderslf:e\^Gs  rvnistry, 
who  frequently  held  special  Sabbath  afternoon  servi.ies  fol 
them. 

But  the  work  did  not  fairly  begin  till  1831,  when  Dr. 
C.  C.  Jones,  a  native  of  Liberty  County,  and  a  man  of 
means,  devoted  himself  to  their  instruction,  and  he  may 
well  be  termed  the  Apostle  to  the  colored  people.  Being 
a  practical  man,  he  soon  had  them  arranged  into  schools 
with  preaching  places  for  their  oral  instruction,  and  with 
colored  leaders  whom  he  placed  over  them  as  "Watchmen." 
These  were  scattered  over  different  parts  of  the  county. 
He  also  formed  an  association  among  the  whites  to  whom 
he  annually  made  reports.  In  a  few  years  the  whole  lower 
belt  of  the  county  became  fully  organized.  Quite  a  num- 
ber of  the  white  people  becoming  interested  likewise  toolr 
part  in  the  work.  Dr.  Jones  continued  his  work  for  thir- 
teen years,  and  as  a     result     hundreds  of     the     colored 


266     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

were  saved,  their  general  condition  greatly  improved,  and 
a  general  interest  awakened  throughout  the  whole  coun 
try,  principally  Georgia,  South  Carolina  and  Mississippi 
and  not  only  in  one  church  but  all  the  churches. 

We  have  no  means  of  determining  the  number  of  col- 
ored members  before  the  civil  war  as  they  were  not  kept 
separate.  But  there  must  have  been  a  considerable  num- 
ber, for  white  churches  all  had  provision  for  the  negroes  to 
worship  with  them,  either  in  the  gallery  or  in  the  seats  in 
the  rear  of  the  building.  They  had  no  separate  churches 
of  their  own,  but  joined  with  the  whites.  Since  the  war 
they  have  withdrawn  and  not  only  have  separate  organiza- 
tions but  also  houses  of  their  own,  on  which  account  few 
of  the  Presbyteries  have  made  any  special  efforts  in  their 
behalf,  nor  have  those  been  very  successful  that  have. 

The  following  is  their  several  actions  since  the  war: 
The  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  in  accordance  wtih  an 
overture  from  the  colored  members  of  the  Macon  Church 
to  be  set  off  into  a  separate  church,  met  in  Macon  on  May 
10,  1866,  and  organized  said  church,  and  at  same  time  or- 
dained Joseph  Williams,  David  Laney  and  Joseph  Carter, 
all  members  of  said  church  as  ministers  of  the  gospel; 
"Provided,  however,  that  these  men  shall  be  regarded  as 
ordained  ministers  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  only  among 
their  own  color"  (Min.  Presbytery,)  without  telling  their 
authority  for  this  restriction,  however.  David  Laney  was 
installed  Pastor  of  the  Church;  Williams  and  Carter  were 
ordained  as  Evangelists  at  large  among  the  colored  peo- 
ple. 

Rev.  Joe  Williams  removed  to  Liberty  county  where 
he  succeeded  in  gathering  together  and  organizing  into 
three  separate  churches,  the  colored  elements  remaining 
after  the  dissolution  of  the  Midway  Church,  viz.,  Midway, 
with  Ebenezer  on  the  North,  Riceboro  on  the  South.  These 
churches  connected  themselves  with  the  Knox  Presbytery. 

The  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  in  1840  organized  the 
African  Church  of  Augusta,  which  existed  for  but  a  short 
time. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     267 

Neither  of  the  Presbyteries  of  Georgia,  Flint  River  or 
Cherokee  ever  had  a  colored  church  under  their  care. 

The  Presbytery  of  Macon  organized  the  colored 
church  of  Hicksville  in  1890  and  ordained  E.  D.  Covington 
in  1891  and  installed  him  pastor.  He  was  dismissed  to 
Central  Alabama  Presbytery  in  1895. 

The  Presbytery  of  Atlanta  organized  the  First  Colored 
Church  Atlanta  in  1867;  Mount  Sinai  Church,  1875;  and 
Zion  Church  Atlanta,  1879;  and  received  Mr.  A.  A.  Jones 
from  the  Methodist  Church  and  made  him  pastor.  The 
church  was  dissolved  in  1894  and  Mr.  Jones  joined  Knox 
Presbytery.  Atlanta  Presbytery  also  ordained  the  Rev.  J. 
R.  Harris  in  1887,  and  dismissed  him  to  Knox  Presbytery 
in  1887;  also,  ordained  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Sheppard,  as  Mis- 
sionary to  Africa,  and  whose  career  is  so  well  known. 

The  Athens  Presbytery  organized  the  Sardis  church  in 
1889,  Mt.  Zion  in  1891,  Mt.  Olivet  in  1892,  Cedar  Grove  in 
1893,  and  ordained  E.  P.  Burns  in  1889,  T.  Thompson  in 
1895  and  S.  J.  Morrow  in  1897.  These  churches  were  all 
dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Abbeville  in  1898.  Rev. 
S.  J.  Morrow  was  dismissed  to  Catawba  Presbytery  in 
1899,  and  the  name  of  E.  P.  Burns  dropped  in  1898. 

The  Presbytery  of  Savannah  organized  the  Savannah 
Colored  Church  in  1881,  and  dissolved  the  same  in  1884; 
organized  Grant  Chapel,  and  ordained  J.  D.  Taylor  and  in- 
stalled him  pastor  in  1892,  and  dismissed  both  to  the  Knox 
Presbytery  in  1898. 

Thus  from  first  to  last  there  have  been  twelve  colored 
churches  organized  and  ten  colored  men  ordained  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Synod,  but  none  today  connected  with 
the  same. 

Making  all  due  allowances  for  the  desire  on  part  of 
the  colored  people  to  have  an  entirely  independent  organ- 
ization of  their  own,  we  cannot  be  oblivious  to  the  fact 
that  the  white  people  were  just  as  anxious  to  have  them 
to  themselves,  and  therefore  the  policy  pursued  towards 
them  was  not  of  such  a  character  as  to  draw  that  people 
any  closer  to  their  organization.  Indeed,  it  was  difficult 
to  determine  the  precise  relation  of  the  colored  churches 


268     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  They  seemed  to  have  been 
considered  as  an  integral  portion  of  the  Church  but  simply 
"in  accordance  with  the  scheme  of  the  Assembly  to  form 
an  independent  church  of  their  own,"  but  of  which  scheme 
no  one  could  give  an  intelligent  account.  In  some  in- 
stances they  were  not  even  put  upon  the  roll,  and  if  they 
were  they  were  not  rgarded  as  entitled  to  representation. 
It  might  well  be  asked,  whether  any  development,  or  in- 
crease could  grow  out  of  or  the  blessing  of  God  rest  upon 
any  such  an  anomaly?  In  the  absence  of  the  proper 
Episcopal  oversight,  and  left  to  themselves,  we  have  an- 
other illustration  of  "the  blind  leading  the  blind,  with  the 
open  ditch  before  them  into  which  to  fall." 

As  an  illustration  of  this,  and  also  to  show  the  injus- 
tice done  them  by  thus  cutting  loose  from  them,  to  show 
their  idea  of  things  and  what  to  expect  if  left  to  them- 
selves in  their  present  state  of  advancement,  I  quote  the 
following  sentence  from  a  published  account  of  the  open- 
ing sermon  of  a  Colored  Singing  Convention  not  many 
miles  from  where  the  writer  resides:  "Rev.  Mobley  took 
for  his  text  "Behold  how  good  and  pleasant  it  is  for  breth- 
ren to  dwell  together  in  unity."  The  sermon  was  tenured 
biblical,  explained  explicitly,  referring  to  consistary,  treat- 
ing on  Theology,  showing  Deontology,  giving  remonstrance, 
impelling  them  which  was  remarkable  and  incontestible 
and  well  received  by  the  delegation."  Were  it  not  a  matter 
of  such  solemn  importance  the  reader  would  be  tempted  to 
indulge  in  a  smile.  But  the  matter  is  of  too  serious  a  na- 
ture for  any  thing  like  merriment,  but  rather  of  the  deep- 
est sympathy  and  concern..  Instead  of  awakening 
laughter  it  should  stir  up  the  soul  to  its  deepest  depths  on 
their  behalf. 

To  further  show  the  condition  of  this  class  of  people, 
if  left  to  themselves,  and  the  need  of  missionary  work 
among  them,  I  quote  from  my  work,  "The  History  of  Mid- 
way Church,"  in  which  an  account  is  given  of  that  most  re- 
markable episode  among  the  colored  people  of  that  section, 
known  as  the  "Christ  Craze,"  and  which  in  some  respects 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     277 

afterwards,  Rev.  Charles  Hodge  was  chosen  assistant  Pro- 
fessor.    Min.  Gen.  Ass.  1812,  13,  &  21. 

Although  the  Synod  of  Virginia  acquiesced  in  the  de- 
cision of  the  majority  to  have  but  one  Seminary,  yet  they 
thought  it  best  to  have  a  school  of  their  own,  and  looking 
to  that  end  they  appointed  Dr.  Moses  Hoge,  then  President 
of  Hampden  Sidney,  as  their  Professor  of  Thelogy,  who 
thus  continued  to  teach  in  that  Institution,  and  in  that 
capacity  till  his  death  in  1820.  *  Note. 

After  unsuccessful  efforts  to  secure  a  successor  to  Dr. 
Hoge,  the  Synod  turned  the  whole  matter  over  to  the 
Presbytery,  the  first  movers  in  the  enterprise,  and  they 
proceeded  to  lay  the  foundation  of  an  institution  to  be  en- 
tirely separate  from  the  College,  and  in  1822  elected  Dr. 
John  H.  Rice,  Professor  of  Theology,  who  delivered  his 
inaugural  January  1,  1824.  In  1826  the  Seminary  was 
turned  over  to  the  (General  Assembly  for  their  manage- 
ment and  control,  but  the  next  year  was  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  United  Synods  of  Virginia  and  North  Caro- 
lina; the  Assembly  only  retaining  the  general  oversight, 
and  in  commemoration  of  the  united  interest  and  action 
of  the  two  Synods,  the  name  was  changed  to  "Union  Semi- 
nary," from  that  given  it  by  the  Assembly,  viz.,  "The 
Theological  Seminary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  under 
the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  Hanover."    Min.  1826  p.  32. 

The  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  at  their  meeting  at  Mad- 
ison, September,  1817,  resolved  to  establish  a  Seminary 
for  the  training  of  her  ministers,  and  appointed  a  commit- 
tee consisting  of  Drs.  Cummins,  Brown  and  Finley,  to  con- 
sider the  whole  subject  and  report  at  the  next  meeting. 

♦Note.  This  seems  to  have  been  the  common  custom 
Oj.  having  a  department  of  Theology  in  connection  with 
Literary  Institutions;  as  was  the  case  in  Harvard,  Yale, 
Dartmouth,  and  Princeton.  So  in  the  plan  first  adopted, 
Columbia  Seminary  was  to  be  a  Classical  literary  as  well 
as  Theological  School.  Since  then  the  settled  policy  is  to 
have  the  Seminary  entirely  separate  and  independent. 


278     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

On  account  of  the  early  death  of  Dr.  Finley,  which  oc- 
curred soon  after,  no  report  was  made. 

In  1819  another  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of 
Drs.  Cummins,  Brown  and  Beman,  who  brought  in  a  report 
which  was  considered  so  far  as  to  choose  a  location  for 
the  Seminary.  Two  places  were  in  nomination — Athens  and 
Mt.  Zion.  Athens  was  chosen.  Another  report  was  after- 
wards brought  in  but  not  adopted.  After  further  considera- 
tion, the  whole  matter  was  "indefinitely  postponed,"  wheth- 
er on  account  of  the  contest  over  the  place,  as  the  Author 
of  the  Necrology  suggests,  or  because  of  a  more  realizing 
sense  of  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking,  we  are  unable 
to  say. 

Thus  it  appears,  that  if  not  the  first  to  establish  in 
the  South  an  independent  Seminary,  Hopewell  began  at 
quite  an  early  day  to  move  in  that  direction.  This  much 
may  also  be  truthfully  said,  that  to  it  belongs  the  honor  of 
furnishing  the  first  Professor  to  the  Seminary,  viz.,  Dr. 
Goulding.  The  Seminary,  too,  was  first  temporarily  locat- 
ed in  its  bounds,  at  the  home  of  Dr.  Goulding,  like  the  Ark 
of  old  temporarily  in  the  house  of  Obededom.  To  Georgia 
Presbytery  also  belongs  the  honor  of  furnishing  one  of  the 
earlier  Professors  in  the  person  of  Dr.  C.  C.  Jones. 

In  April,  1824,  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  at  its 
meeting  at  Willington,  appointed  a  Committee  to  draft  a 
Constitution  for  a  Theological  Seminary. 

Upon  the  suggestion  of  the  Charleston  Union  Presby- 
tery, which  was  invited  to  take  part  in  its  support,  it  was 
placed  under  the  management  of  the  Synod  of  South  Car- 
olina and  Georgia.  Under  the  Constitution  adopted  by 
the  Synod,  the  chartered  name  was  '  The  Literary  and 
Theological  Seminary  of  the  South."  And  the  site  select- 
ed v/as  the  District  of  Pendleton  and  two  and  a  quarter 
miles  from  the  village  of  the  same  name.  At  the.  sugges- 
tion of  the  Board,  the  charter  was  so  changed  in  1827  as 
to  make  it  only  a  Theological  School.  In  1829  the  loca< 
tion  was  also  changed.  Columbia  was  selected  in  prefer- 
ence to  either  Winnsboro  or  Athens,  Georgia,  which  were 
also  put  in  nomination.     These  changes  gave  considerable 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     279 

dissatisfaction  to  many,  who  were  alike  dissatisfied  with 
the  dropping  out  the  Literary  department  as  well  as  change 
of  location. 

In  December,  1828,  Dr.  Thomas  Goulding  was  chosen 
Professor  of  Theology  with  permission  to  remain  for  the 
time  being  in  the  pastorate  of  his  Church.  During  the  next 
year  (1829)  he  taught  at  his  own  home  a  class  of  five 
students,  their  names  being  H.  C.  Carter,  Isaac  Waddel, 
Farwell  Jones,  James  Beatty  and  Wm.  Moultrie  Reid. 
Early  in  January,  1830,  Dr.  Goulding  removed,  with  his 
five  pupils,  to  Columbia  and  occupied  temporarily  the  Par- 
sonage of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  On  March  17th,  1830, 
he  delivered  his  inaugural,  and  in  January,  1831,  the  exer- 
cises of  the  Seminary  were  regularly  opened  in  a  building 
which  had  been  prepared 'for  them,  and  kept  up  contin- 
uously ever  since  with  exception  of  the  year  1887,  when 
closed  on  account  of  the  Evolution  disturbance. 

It  might  also  be  interesting  to  know  that,  previous  to 
the  establishment  of  Columbia  Seminary,  the  churches  of 
Georgia  contributed  liberally  to  Princton.  Hence  we  find 
that  at  the  second  regular  meeting  of  'Georgia  Presbytery, 
at  Midway  Church,  in  1822,  the  Presbytery  declared  that 
they  would  assume  $3,000,  as  their  part  of  Synod's  debt 
towards  establishing  a  Professorship  in  Princeton  Semi- 
nary. And  of  this  amount,  Mr.  Davis  reported  to  Presby- 
tery in  April,  1823,  that  "$2,300  had  been  paid."  Witness, 
too,  the  scholarships  of  John  Whitehead,  of  Burke  County, 
of  $1,000,  and  also  that  of  John  Nephews,  of  Mcintosh 
County,  for  a  similar  amount,  and  the  Augusta  Female 
Seminary  fund  of  $2,500.  Besides  smaller  sums  were  given 
at  different  times  to  their  agents,  among  w^hom  were  Dr. 
Davis,  who  was  an  Agent  of  the  Assembly  in  1827.  Min.  P. 
126. 

In  1857  the  associated  ownership  and  management  of 
the  Seminary  was  extended  to  and  accepted  by  the  Synod 
of  Alabama,  and  in  1881,  the  Synod  of  Florida,  so  that  now 
the  Seminary  is  under  the  joint  control  of  the  four  asso- 
ciated Synods  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  and 
Florida.     Out   of   the   Thirteen  members  of  the   Board  of 


280 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 


Directors,  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  is  entitled  to  six; 
the  Synod  of  Georgia,  to  four;  that  of  Alabama,  to  two, 
and  that  of  Florida,  to  one. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


RELIGIOUS  PAPERS. 

As  early  as  1820,  there  was  a  paper  published  by  Rev. 
Benj.  Gildersleeve  at  Mt.  Zion,  styled  "The  Missionary," 
which  received  the  endorsement  of  the  Georgia  Presbytery 
in  its  Sessions  at  Midway  in  1822.  In  1827  Mr.  Gilde:- 
sleeve  removed  to  Charleston  and  issued  the  Charleston 
Observer,  which  was  of  great  service  to  the  church. 

But  feeling  the  need  of  a  religious  paper,  nearer  home., 
as  the  medium  of  communication,  the  Synod,  in  1846,  at  its 
meeting  at  Milledgeville,  considered  the  propriety  of  issu- 
ing a  paper  and  also  endorsing  the  Presbyterian  Review 
at  Columbia.  The  Committee  to  whom  the  matter  was  re- 
ferred reported,  stating  the  terms  upon  which  such  paper 
might  be  published.  A  committee  was  accordingly  ap- 
pointed to  issue  a  prospectus,  terms  etc.,  showing  that  the 
paper  should  be  a  family  paper,  price  three  dollars,  that 
its  name  be  "The  Presbyterian  Luminary;"  2nd,  that  it  be 
published  at  Milledgeville.  They  also  endorsed  the  pro- 
posd  Presbyterian  Review  to  be  publishd  at  Columbia,  S. 
C,  (Min.  P  26.)  At  the  next  meeting,  in  1847,  it  was  an- 
nounced that  a  paper  called  "Southern  Presbyterian,"  with 
Rev.  Washington  Baird,  as  editor,  had  been  established. 
SOUTHERN  PRESBYTERIAN. 

The  Southern  Presbyterian  was  founded  near  Mil- 
legdeville  (at  Scottsboro)  in  1847,  with  Rev.  W.  Baird  as 
editor,  and  removed  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  in  1853,  and 
where,  in  1854,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Kirkpatrick  and  Rev.  B.  E. 
Lanneau  became  editors.  About  1851  the  paper  was  sold 
to  Dr.  Adger  and  others  and  removed  to  Columbia,  with 
Dr.  Abner  Porter  as  editor.  Shortly  before  the  close  of  the 
war  it  was  removed  to  Augusta.  At  the  close  of  the  war 
Dr.  Adger  and  fellow  proprietors  decided  to  discontinue  its 
publication,  deeming  it  a  useless  undertaking  in  the  crip- 
pled condition  of  the  country,  when  Dr.  Woodrow,  deeming 
it  an  invaluable  aid,  purchased  it  in  1865,  becoming  sole 


282     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

editor  and  proprietor  and  removed  it  back  to  Columbia  and 
continued  to  publish  it  till  1893,  and  then  sold  it  to  Rev. 
W.  S.  Bean,  who  removed  it  to  Clinton,  S.  C,  and  there 
sold  it  to  Jacobs  &  Jacobs,  who  sold  it  to  Rev.  Dr.  Con- 
verse, in  1903,  who  removed  it  to  Atlanta. 

In  January,  1909,  it  was  consolidated  with  the  'Central 
Presbyterian,  of  Richmond,  and  the  "South  Western  Pres- 
byterian," of  New  Orleans,  with  the  three  associated  edi- 
tors, which  has  added  greatly  to  its  strength  and  efficiency, 
and  its  name  changed  to,  "The  Presbyterian  of  the  South.'" 
It  was  later  moved  to  Richmond,  where  it  is  still  success- 
fully published. 

PASTORS  AND  PEOPLES  JOURNAL. 

In  1857  a  Monthly  Journal  was  issued  conjointly  by 
Rev.  Messrs.  R.  L.  Breck,  pastor  at  Macon,  and  William 
Flinn,  pastor  at  Milledgeville,  which  received  the  endorse- 
ment of  the  Synod  at  Rome,  and  which  for  a  time  seeme^l 
to  meet  with  success,  but  was  suspended  the  next  year,  on 
account  of  the  removal  of  Mr.  Breck  to  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Albany. 

WESTMINSTER  MAGAZINE. 

This  new  enterprise  was  begun  in  Atlanta  in  1911, 
under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Thornwell  Jacobs,  and  bids  fair 
to  have  a  useful  and  prosperous  career. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


PRESBYTERIAN  HOSPITAL. 

Rev.  Dr.  Holderby,  the  pastor  of  the  Moore  Memorial 
Church,  being  a  practicing  physician  before  becoming  a 
minister,  and  deeply  interested  in  the  "healing  art,"  com- 
menced advocating  the  establishment  of  a  church  hospital 
for  the  sick,  and  especially  for  the  poor,  and  with  the  re- 
ligious element  prominently  in  the  foreground.  As  the  re- 
sult of  his  advocacy,  an  institution  of  this  kind  was  es- 
tablished in  the  city  of  Atlanta  in  1901  by  a  few  individual 
members  of  the  different  Presbyterian  churches  and  out- 
side friends.  The  next  year,  the  attention  of  the  Synod  be- 
ing called  to  this  work,  a  committee  was  appointed  "to  visit 
the  institution  and  annually  to  bring  tidings  of  the  same 
to  that  Body."  The  committee  having  reported  favorably 
the  next  year,  the  Synod  "expressed  its  gratification  at  the 
growing  efficiency  and  usefulness  of  this  Institution,  and 
commended  it  to  the  interest  and  prayers  of  our  people, ' 
at  the  same  time  appointing  another  committee  to  visit  the 
same  during  the  year  and  to  report. 

In  190'5,  the  Synod  accepted  a  proposition  made  to 
them  of  taking  part  in  the  management  of  the  Institution 
which  had  now  been  in  successful  operation  for  several 
years;  and  accordingly  appointed  six  Trustees,  one  from 
each  of  the  Presbyteries,  and  also  appointed  a  Sunday, 
(second  Sunday  in  February)  to  be  known  as  "Hospital 
Sunday,"  in  which  a  collection  was  to  be  taken  in  all  the 
churches  for  this  object. 

In  1908,  the  expenses  of  the  Institution  became  so  great 
on  account  of  the  great  amount  of  Charity  work,  that  it  be- 
came involved  in  debt.  As  the  result  of  a  special  effort, 
made  in  behalf  of  "the  Great  Hospital,"  this  indebtedness 
has  been  lifted,  a  sufficient  sum  raised  additional  for  the 
erection  of  a  suitable  building.  A  movement  is  also  being 
made    with  a  view  of  securing  a  "Maintenance   Fund"   to 


284     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

cover  all  charity  expenses.  At  the  same  time,  the  charter 
has  been  so  changed  as  to  vest  the  absolute  and  permanent 
control  of  the  Hospital  in  the  Synod  and  Presbyteries  of 
Georgia.  Said  institution  to  be  controlled  by  a  Board  of 
Trustees,  consisting  of  thirty-six  members,  together  with 
an  Advisory  Board,  consisting  of  the  same  number;  eigh- 
teen of  these  Trustees,  and  the  same  number  in  the  Ad- 
visory Board,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta, 
and  the  remaining  eighteen  of  each  to  be  appointed  equally 
by  the  Synod  and  the  other  five  Presbyteries  of  Georgia, 
each  being  entitled  to  three  and  three  of  the  Advisory 
Board.  This  Advisory  Board  to  consist  entirely  of  minis- 
ters, and  whose  province  it  will  be  to  look  after  the  spirit- 
ual interests  of  the  Hospital;  the  extent  of  their  authority 
extending  no  further  than  the  giving  of  Advice. 

This  scheme,  like  many  others,  looked  well  on  paper, 
but  for  want  of  interest  or  lack  of  means  has- never  yet 
been  carried  out.  The  Hospital,  after  a  few  yars  of  seem- 
ingly successful  operation,  has  been  closed,  and  whether  it 
is  to  be  reopened  remains  to  be  seen. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


RETROSPECT. 

At  this  point  it  might  he  well  to  paus-e  for  a  moment, 
and  take  a  retrospective  view  of  the  progress  the  church 
has  made,  as  well  as  the  peculiar  methods  of  that  pro- 
gression. 

1st.  And  first  as  to  the  numerical  strength.  This  we 
can  better  show  in  a  tabular  statem-ent.  As  the  earlier  re- 
cords of  the  church  were  kept  so  imperfectly,  and  so  many- 
years  in  which  no  reports  were  sent  either  to  the  Synod  or 
Assembly  the  early  statements  are  not  given  as  entirely 
accurate,  but  only  approximately  so,  nevertheless  with  suf- 
ficient accuracy  to  show  the  general  progress. 

1797 — 5  Ministers,  15  Churches,  100  Communicants. 

1810 — 5  Ministers,  11  Churches,  218  Communicants. 

1820—7  Ministers,  16  Churches,  320  Communicants. 

1830—23  Ministers,  51  Churches,  2,263  Communicants. 

1840 — 44  Ministers,  80  Churches,  2,747  Communicants. 

1850 — 61  Ministers,  95  Churches,  4,699  Communicants. 

1860—70  Ministers,  116  Churches,  6,199  Communicants. 

1870 — 65  Ministers,  123  Churches,  6,126  Communicants 

1880—75  Ministers,  152  Churches,  8,605  Communicants. 

1890—69  Ministers,  151  Churches,  10,294  Communi- 
cants. 

1900—110  Ministers,  210  Churches,  15,915  Communi- 
cants. 

1910—124  Ministers,  238  Churches,  20,311  Communi- 
cants. 

From  the  above  it  will  appear  that  the  church  made  no 
visible  progress  during  the  first  decade,  and  also  very  little 
during  the  second.  This  is  generally  the  case  with  all  new 
enterprises.  There  is  always  more  or  less  preparatory 
work  to  be  done.  Thus  it  was  with  the  early  establish- 
ment of  the  province.  Seemingly  it  made  no  progress  dur- 
ing the  first  two  decades.    So  in  missionary  work;  usually 


286     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

years  of  toil  and  self  denial  elapsed  before  the  first  fruit 
appears. 

The  above  table  shows  another  thing.  In  the  decades 
between  '60  and  '70,  and  between  '80  and  '90,  instead  of 
progress,  the  church  actually  retrograded.  When  we  re- 
member that  these  were  the  two  decades  in  which  the 
Church  encountered  war  and  afterwards  worse  than  war- 
bitter  controversy,  we  can  easily  see  the  reason.  The  Holy 
Spirit  is  the  Dove  of  peace  and  will  withdraw  himself  from 
the  region  of  strife  and  turmoil.  In  the  first  decade,  there 
was  the  four  years  of  civil  strife  followed  by  the  Block 
controversy  lasting  two  years;  and  in  the  second,  was  the 
bitter  controversy  of  Evolution,  which  more  or  less  agitated 
the  entire  church.  The  season  of  peace  and  brotherly  love 
is  the  time  for  progress  in  spiritual  things. 

In  comparison  with  other  Denominations,  especially 
the  Methodists  and  Baptists,  the  progress  of  the  Church 
seemed  very  slow  indeed.  The  first  regular  Baptist  min- 
istr  in  the  state  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Marshall,  and  the 
first  Baptist  Church,  the  Kiokee'  Church,  in  Columbia  Coun- 
ty near  Appling,  organized  by  him  in  1774.  Their  first  As- 
sociation was  that  of  Georgia,  set  up  in  1784,  at  Kiokee,  at 
Columbia  Court  House,  with  five  ministers  and  about  as 
many  Churches  (Sherwood,  Page  329).  Today  they  have 
84  Associations,  1,482  Ministers,  2,218  Churches,  237,313 
Members. 

The  first  Methodist  minister  of  which  we  have  any  ac- 
count, was  the  Rev.  Beverly  Allen,  who  came  from  Vir- 
ginia in  1785,  and  the  first  field  he  occupied  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  Conference  was  simply  "Georgia."  (Min- 
Conf.  p.  23).  Their  first  Conference  was  held  at  the  Forks 
of  Broad  River,  April  9,  1788,  with  six  members  and  four 
probationers  in  the  year.  (Asbury  Jour,  11,  30).  Today 
they  have  two  annual  Conferences,  910  Ministers,  1,553 
Churches,  and  182,192  Members. 

In  striking  contrast  with  this  appear  the  statistics  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church;  their  first  minister,  Rev.  John 
Newton  in  1784;  their  first  church  in  1787;  they  have  today 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     287 

(1910)    six  Presbyteries,   124   Ministers,  238   Churches  and 
20,311   Members. 

The  contrast  at  first  may  seem  discouraging,  especially 
as  they  had  such  a  promising  start,  being  among  the  first 
in  the  field;  and  holding  the  educational  centres.  But  their 
form  of  government,  their  ideals  and  standards,  their 
method  and  character  of  work  are  so  unlike,  that  after  all 
the  difference  might  not  be  so  great  as  at  first  appears. 
The  world  may,  later  on,  be  better  able  to  judge  of  the 
relative  worth  of  the  different  systems.  The  final  fruitage 
will  be  the  best  and  only  true  test  of  superiority. 

Besides  it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  each  denomina- 
tion, as  each  individual,  has  a  mission  and  work  of  its  own, 
neither  of  which  can  do  that  of  the  other,  and  therefore 
is  not  to  be  judged  by  the  standard  or  measure  of  another. 

2nd.  The  church  has  likewise  made  wonderful  pro- 
gress in  the  development  of  her  principles  and  policy,  es- 
pecially in  the  elevation  of  the  offices  of  Deacon  and  Rul- 
ing Elder  to  their  proper  place  in  the  scheme  of  church 
government.  It  was  not  until  recently  that  any  great  im- 
portance seemed  to  have  been  attached  to  either.  In  the 
earlier  records  the  name  of  Deacon  seldom,  if  ever,  oc- 
curs. It  was  not  until  1784  that  the  Assembly  even  order- 
ed the  number  of  deacons  and  elders  to  be  reported.  But 
now  a  church  is  hardly  considered  fully  organized  without 
the  full  complement  of  these  officers. 

So  also  with  regard  to  the  correct  interpretation  of  the 
proper  functions  of  these  offices.  Until  recently  Elders 
were  denied  the  moderatorship  of  the  ecclesiastical  courts. 
But  now  it  is  understood  that  as  a  ruler  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord,  he  stands  on  equal  footing  with  the  minister;  and 
moreover  concerning  his  duties,  that  ne  has  something  to 
do  more  than  to  distribute  the  sacramental  elements;  that 
he  is  not  installed  to  be  honored,  but  to  serve.  He  is  call- 
ed to  be  a  co-pastor  with  the  minister  in  watching  for  souls 
and  looking  after  the  general  interest  of  the  church;  while 
to  the  deacon  belongs  the  management  of  its  temporalities. 
As  the  result  of  this  fuller  development  of  her  principles, 
and  clearer  definition  of  the  duties  required,  these  duties 


288     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

are  more  efficiently  discharged  and  members  better  under- 
stand why  they  are  Presbyterians. 

3rd.  In  nothing  perhaps,  is  this  improvement  and  de- 
velopment more  apparent  than  in  the  matter  of  giving.  The 
idea  of  worshipping  God  with  our  substance  is  more  clearly 
seen  and  reduced  to  practice.  Indeed  the  whole  matter  of 
giving  is  now  reduced  to  a  system  and  becomes  an  integral 
part  of  the  regular  service!  At  first  neither  the  Assembly 
nor  the  Presbytery  had  any  system  of  giving.  The  contri- 
butions w^ere  after  a  most  desultory  sort  and  principally 
through  traveling  agents  or  committees  appointed  for  the 
purpose.  For  a  long  time  the  Assembly  worked  through 
what  they  called  a  "Society,"  and  Presbyteries  conforming 
their  methods  to  that  of  the  Assembly,  also  had  theirs. 
And  what  might  now  seem  strange  to  us,  it  was  q"aite  a 
common  practice  with  them  to  adjourn  the  Presbytery  that 
they  might  meet  as  a  "Society"  and  attend  to  its  business 
At  first  these  societies  were  independent  but  afterwards 
there  was  an  advance  in  the  system,  and  coming  somewhat 
nearer  to  the  Presbyterian  theory,  becoming  "Auxilliaries" 
to  that  of  the  Assembly.  The  result  was  that  the  sums  given 
in  this  desultory  way  amounted  to  little,  especially  after 
deducting  the  expense  of  the  agent. 

This  matter  will  the  more  strikingly  appear  by  com- 
paring the  present  contributions  with  those  of  former 
years.  In  1845,  when  the  Synod  was  organized,  there  were 
only  three  outside  causes,  viz:  Foreign  Missions,  Home 
Missions  and  Education.  The  contributions  to  these  three, 
$4,441.  As  there  were  only  3,742  members,  the  amount 
contributed  per  member,  was  about  $1.25.  At  the  present 
time  (1910)  there  are  nine  of  these  causes,  and  20,462 
members,  the  amount  contributed,  $89,386,  about  $4.00  per 
member. 

It  is  here  well  worthy  of  special  mention  that  there 
has  been  marked  improvement  also  in  the  matter  of  pas- 
toral support.  In  1842  Flint  River  Presbytery  reported  to 
the  Synod  that  "three-fourths  of  their  ministers  were  com- 
pelled to  enter  the  school  room  for  their  daily  bread." 
(Min.  p.  433).    But  it  is  quite  different  of  late,  there  being 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     289 

very  few  ministers  in  the  schoolroom  for  that  reason. 

4th.  There  is  still  another  direction,  in  which  the 
church  has  added  largely  to  her  equipments  and  activities, 
whether  wisely  or  not,  the  future  may  determine.  In  ad- 
dition to  her  schemes  of  benevolence,  she  has  organized 
herself  into  different  Orders,  Companies,  Leagues,  and  As- 
sociations, and  with  a  classification  so  minute,  and  exten- 
sive, as  to  embrace  the  entire  membership,  from  the  prat- 
tling babe  to  the  old,  weary,  worn  pilgrim.  At  first  under  the 
leadership  of  the  old  divines,  she  steadfastly  resisted  all  such 
measures  and  overtures,  as  wholly  useless,  if  not  entirely 
outside  of  her  commission.  But  latterly  being  drawn  into 
the  current,  she  has  not  only  fully  committed  herself  to 
the  new  regime,  but  made  most  wonderful  strides  in  this 
newly  discovered  field  of  Christian  activity.  Whether  any 
or  all  of  these  modern  innovations  be  right  and  proper, 
whether  they  will  add  any  thing  to  her  queenly  beauty  or 
impart  greater  efficiency  to  her  work,  or  in  the  end  be  set 
aside,  as  David  did  the  armor  of  Saul,  being  found  too 
cumbrous,  may  still  be  regarded  as  an  open  question. 

The  general  principle  of  exclusion  herein  set  forth  is 
equally  applicable  to  all  the  other  schemes  of  the  church, 
her  schools,  colleges,  hospitals,  asylums  and  all  the  other 
eleemosynary  institutions  under  her  care,  whether  at 
home  or  in  a  foreign  land.  As  these  things  are  not  found 
in  her  commission,  they  cannot  form  part  of  her  ligitimate 
work,  but  properly  the  work  of  her  individual  members. 
The  church  may  and  should  encourage  her  members  to  en- 
gage in  these  and  similar  enterprises  but  not  become 
mixed  up  herself  either  in  their  construction  or  their 
management.  The  church  is  yet  to  dominate  the  world, 
but  not  in  person,  but  through  her  principles  and  individ- 
ual members.  "Holiness  to  the  Lord"  is  yet  to  be  written 
upon  every  thing,  even  the  bells  of  the  horses,  but  she 
is  neither  to  own  the  bells  nor  control  the  horses.  She 
may  appoint  her  members  as  her  helpers,  give  advice  and 
counsel,  and  even  of  her  money,  but  excluded  by  her  char- 
ter from  ownership.  Her  members  may  own  property  but 
not  herself.     Her  members  may  own  and  control  stores, 


290     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

and  do  business  in  the  marts  of  trade,  and  bestow  upon 
her  the  benefit,  but  in  no  case  has  she  the  right  to  own 
and  control  those  stores  herself.  Her  great  work  is  to 
preach  the  gospel  and  as  "the  pillar  and  ground  of  the 
truth,"  to  simply  bear  testimony  to  the  truth,  and 
not  to  build  houses — not  even  to  build  and  own  and  con- 
trol a  hospital,  orphanage  or  an  asylum.  The  healing  of 
the  sick  was  given  in  the  same  manner  and  for  the  same 
reason  as  casting  out  devils,  speaking  in  an  unknown 
tongue,  taking  up  serpents,  drinking  deadly  poison  with- 
out harm  or  any  other  miraculous  work  vouchsafed  to 
the  early  Christians  and  intended  simply  as  attestations 
of  the  gospel,  and  belonging  to  a  miraculous  age;  the 
spirit  alone,  and  not  the  power,  being  transmitted  to  us. 
Nor  yet  do  we  see  any  reason  why  any  of  the  above  should 
be  singled  out  and  emphasized  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
rest.    We  are  confirmed  in  these  views: 

1st.  From  the  entire  silence  of  the  Scriptures,  they 
not  even  giving  a  hint,  concerning  these  matters  at  any 
time. 

2nd.  From  the  principle  already  enunciated,  that 
what  the  church  does  in  its  organic  capacity,  it  does  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord;  and  he  becomes  the  principal  part- 
ner. In  every  case  of  failure,  therefore,  or  suit  against 
the  property,  the  Lord  himself  must  become  a  party  to  the 
transaction,  a  thought  which  shocks  beyond  measure. 

3rd.  From  the  aggressive  nature  of  all  innovations, 
as  already  hinted.  If  the  Church  has  a  commission  to 
build  hospitals  for  the  sick,  why  not  go  further  and  erect 
asylums  for  the  insane  and  the  blind?  For  Christ  had  fully 
as  much  to  do  with  the  demoniac  and  the  blind  as  the 
"sick  of  the  fever."  If  authority  to  own  and  control  a 
hospital,  why  not  likewise  to  own  and  control  a  home  for 
the  aged  and  infirm?  Why  not  put  temperance  societies, 
anti  saloon  leagues,  and  every  other  institution  that  seeks 
to  do  good  upon  its  roll  and  under  its  care  and  manage- 
ment? How  different  the  spirit  of  the  commission  of  the 
Master  to  his  early  disciples,  to  eliminate  every  thing  from 
the  business   in  hand  and  not  even  to   stop   to   salute   a 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     291 

friend  on  the  way,  but  to  go  and  preach  the  gospel,  that 
being  the  main  and  only  business.  The  truth  of  the  mat- 
ter is,  that  we  can  see  but  one  solution  of  the  problem 
now  confronting  the  world,  and  that  is  to  remand  all  these 
schemes  back  to  the  individual  members,  the  church  re- 
taining only  the  niminating  and  advisory  power,  thus  re- 
lieving herself  of  all  financial  responsibility. 

It  would  seem  that  Presbyterians  by  this  time  would 
have  learned  this  lesson  from  their  bitter  experience  in 
the  past,  in  the  complete  destruction  of  Oglethorpe  and 
her  female  Colleges,  as  well  as  the  recent  unfortunate  fi- 
nancial trouble  with  her  hospital.  We  are  glad  to  believe 
light  is  breaking,  and  the  church  beginning  to  see  that 
the  true  and  only  Scriptural  plan  is  for  all  these  outside 
institutions  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  her  individual 
members,  as  Agnes  Scott  has  so  wisely  done.  Adopt  any 
other,  and  like  all  errors  it  will  sooner  or  later  lead  to  dis- 
aster and  ruin. 

The  objector  will  doubtless,  in  reply,  point  us  to  the 
other  denominational  colleges  which  h'ave  not  been  over- 
taken with  similar  disaster,  but  seem  to  be  doing  well. 
Our  answer  is  two-fold: 

1st.  For  purpose  of  warning,  one  wreck  is  quite  suf- 
ficient. One  wrecked  Idaho  on  the  coast  of  Ireland,  gives 
warning  enough  to  every  passing  vessel.  One  Deluge,  one 
Pharaoh,  one  Ananias,  are  enough  to  show  the  mind  and 
purpose  of  God,  concerning  the  rebellious  and  perverse. 
His  plan  is  not  to  visit  judgment  upon  every  transgressor, 
but  by  one  clearly  marked  visitation,  to  furnish  a  distinct 
warning  to  all  after  comers.  Other  churches  may,  there- 
fore well  profit  by  our  example. 

2nd.  Our  second  answer  is,  wait  and  see;  for  the  end 
is  not  yet.  In  our  judgment,  the  question  of  denomination- 
al schools,  is  not  yet  settled  by  any  means.  For  after  all 
that  has  been  said  and  done;  after  all  the  outlay  of  men 
and  means,  as  far  as  we  can  see,  such  institutions  have 
very  little,  if  any  advantage  over  others  in  either  promot- 
ing morality  or  checking  the  advance  of  infidelity.  For 
they  all   seem  to   be  heading  in  the  same  direction  and 


292     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

adopting  the  same  methods  and  from  present  indications 
they  will  in  a  short  time  all  be  conducted  under  the  same 
general  management  and  discipline.  We  give  one  in- 
stance, from  which  to  judge  the  rest.  The  honor  rule  is  now 
the  popular  one.  Instead  of  acting  as  custodians  of  the 
students  committed  to  their  care,  and,  in  the  place  of 
their  p'arents,  exercising  a  kind  but  strict  surveillance,  the 
student  is  simply  put  upon  his  honor,  and  allowed  to  roam 
at  will,  to  lodge  where  he  pleases,  to  come  and  go  when 
and  where  he  chooses,  day  or  night,  the  only  restrictions 
being  his  remaining  in  the  city,  and  answering  to  his  name 
at  roll  call.  The  extreme  peril  of  such  a  course  must  be 
apparent  to  every  one.  Place  a  young  boy  at  any  college, 
it  matters  not  whether  state  or  church,  away  from  home 
and  home  influences,  with  the  temptlations  of  the  citj' 
around  him,  with  his  pocket  filled  with  money,  and  with 
no  other  restraint  about  him  but  his  honor,  which  he  can 
easily  put  in  his  pocket,  or  lock  up  in  his  trunk  for  safe 
keeping,  and  he  is  at  once  started  on  the  high  road  to 
ruin;  and  unless  arrested  by  the  grace  of  God,  and  re- 
strained by  early  counsels  will  surely  make  his  landing 
place  there.  We  feel  satisfied  that  the  location  and  home 
training  have  far  more  to  do  with  the  question  of  morality 
than  the  character  of  the  institution.  And  therefore  the 
city  is  not  the  proper  place  for  the  location  of  a  school,  es- 
pecially under  modern  discipline,  to  which  our  youthful 
sons  are  to  be  sent  for  training. 

And  as  for  the  matter  of  infidelity,  the  question  is 
well  worthy  of  the  most  serious  consideration,  w^hether 
after  all,  the  Church  College  constitutes  such  a  bulwark  of 
defense,  and  indeed  whether  there  would  be  any  more 
skepticism  in  the  land  if  there  were  not  a  denominational 
College  in  existence.  Home  training,  and  not  church  col* 
leges,  is  the  only  true  safe  guard  against  the  further  pro- 
gress of  this  insidious  foe.  The  family  fireside  with  its 
religious  instructons  is  the  Lord's  only  appointed  school, 
and  a  school,  too,  simple,  economical,  and  efficient,  though 
the  world  seems  fast  losing  sight  of  the  fact.  "And  y-e 
shall  teach  them"  (his  laws)  to  your  children,  speaking  of 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     293 

them  wh€n  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou 
walkest  by  the  way,  when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou 
risest  up.  And  thou  shalt  write  them  upon  the  doorposts 
of  thine  house,  and  upon  thy  gates."  Deut.  IX.  19,  20. 
There  are  far  greater  dangers  imperiling  the  life  of  the 
church  th'an  those  springing  from  the  infidelity  of  State 
colleges;  and  the  neglect  of  the  home  is  one  of  them 
Would  that  the  church  would  place  the  emphasis  where 
God  has  put  it,  upon  the  home  and  home  training,  and  not 
upon  her  grand  institutions  of  learning  upon  which  she 
has  lavished,  and,  in  so  many  instances,  squandered  so 
much  of  her  Lord's  money. 

We  will  only  further  add,  that  if  all  the  Christian 
people  would  rally  around  our  State  colleges  and  Univer- 
sities they  could  easily  control  their  management  and 
teachings.  Whereas,  the  present  plan  of  withdrawing  and 
leaving  in  the  hands  of  ungodly,  and  in  many  instances, 
profane  men,  these  institutions  with  all  their  vast  re- 
sources, the  great  centres  of  influence,  and  wielding  such 
tremendous  power  in  moulding  the  character  of  such  a 
large  percentage  of  the  leading  men  of  the  country,  is  the 
best  way  we  know  of  to  intensify  the  skeptical  tenden- 
cies of  the  age. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


SKETCHES  AND  INCIDEiNTS. 

It  would  indeed  be  a  pleasing  task  to  give  some 
sketches  of  all  of  our  deceased  ministers,  but  time  and 
space  forbid.  Nor  yet  do  we  think  this  necessary  as  it 
has  been  the  growing  custom  of  Synods  and  Presbyteries 
to  furnish  full  and  accurate  memorials  of  their  deceased 
members,  and  which  may  be  found  in  their  printed  records. 
All  that  I  can  hope  to  do  will  be  to  emphasize  the  life  work 
of  a  few  of  our  departed  brethren,  who  have  been  most 
prominent  in  the  work  of  the  church,  and  who,  under  the 
blessing  of  God,  have  seemingly  been  able  to  do  more  for 
the  advancement  of  His  cause  than  others,  giving  my  own 
impression  of  their  worth,  and  also,  as  far  as  possible,  to 
record  any  additional  incidents  that  might  have  come 
under  my  own  observation  and  not  heretofore  published. 
REV.  JOHN  S.  WILSON,  D.  D. 

The  first  name  I  mention  is  that  of  Dr.  John  S.  Wilson, 
who  was  born  in  Pendleton  District  (now  Anderson),  S.  C, 
Jan.  4th,  1796,  the  same  year  that  the  first  Presbytery  was 
formed;  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina, 
Oct.  29,  1819;  ordained  by  the  same  at  Nazareth,  April 
5th,  1821;  taught  and  acted  as  missionary  for  four  years 
at  Ruckersville,  Elbert  County,  Ga.,  when  he  removed  in 
1824  to  Gwinnett  County,  where  he  lived  for  twenty  years, 
filling  the  position  of  teacher  and  preacher.  For  fifteen 
years  he  had  charge  of  the  old  school  at  Lawrenceville, 
which,  for  a  part  of  the  time,  was  one  of  the  Manual 
Labor  schools  established  by  Presbyterians  in  the  state. 
In  1844  he  removed  to  Decatur,  one  of  the  churches  he  had 
organized,  and  where  he  continued  as  pastor  and  teacher 
for  fifteen  years,  till  1859,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  of  Atlanta,  another  Church  organized  by  him, 
and  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
March  27,  1873,  after  a  ministry  of  over  53  years. 

Very  few  men  did  more  for  the  cause  of  education  and 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     295 

religion  and  tlie  Presbyterian  Church.  Being  one  of  the 
pioneer  ministers,  his  labors  were  abundant,  combining  the 
toils  of  the  school  room  with  that  of  the  pulpit.  He  taught 
school  nearly  all  of  his  ministerial  life,  never  being  re- 
leased frm  the  school  room  till  his  removal  to  Atlanta  in 
1859.  When  at  Lawrenceville,  he  had  a  large  attendance 
of  young  men,  many  of  whom  entered  the  ministery  as  well_ 
as  prominent  positions  in  the  country  and  church.  But  he 
was  especially  useful  in  the  ministry  as  a  missionary,  he 
having  organized  as  many  as  fourteen  churches.  Being 
physically  robust,  he  was  enabled  to  endure  hardness  as  a 
good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.  And  indeed  it  is  difficult  for 
any  one  living  in  this  age  of  railroads  and  facilties  for  easy 
travelling  to  form  anything  like  a  correct  idea  of  the  sac- 
rifices connected  with  his  laborious  services.  In  his  semi- 
c-entennial  review  of  his  ministry  he  thus  wrtes:  "The 
week  was  spent  in  the  school  room,  and  the  Sabbath  in 
the  church.  On  Saturday  I  went  to  my  field  of  labor, 
preaching  at  night,  then  preaching  twice  on  Sabbath, 
and  returned  home  on  Sabbath  night  and  was  in 
it'he  school  room  on  Monday  morning,  often  rid- 
ing thirty  miles  amid  darkness  and  solitude,  having 
deep  streams  and  dangerous  bridges  to  cross,  with  no 
light  save  the  lightning's  glare,  and  no  sound  save  the 
thunder's  roar  and  the  growl  of  the  wolf."  Min.  Synod.  1873 
p.  14. 

As  a  Presbyter,  he  was  faithful  to  attend  the  meet- 
ing of  the  church  courts;  never  failing  but  once  through 
thirty  consecutive  years  to  attend  the  meeting  of  Synod, 
and  then  on  account  of  sickness  in  his  family.  When  we 
remember  that  for  the  first  twenty-five  years  of  his  minis- 
try, the  Synod  covered  two  states,  frequently  with  place  of 
meeting  at  a  distance  of  one  to  two  hundred  miles,  and 
with  no  other  means  of  conveyance  than  horseback,  we  at 
once  see  that  this  was  no  easy  achievement. 

Dr.  Wilson  was  a  man  of  prominence  and  was  very 
much  respected  and  honored  by  his  brethren.  He  was  sent 
as  a  delegate  to  eleven  General  Assemblies  and  in  one 
made  Moderator  (at  Charlotte,  in  1864).     He  was  Modera- 


296     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

tor  of  the  Presbytery  of  Flint  River  at  its  organization  at 
McDonough  in  1835.  He  was  elected  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
Synod  of  Georgia  at  its  organization  at  Macon  in  1845,  and 
which  office  he  continued  to  fill  till  1872,  when  he  resigned 
on  account  of  failing  health. 

He  was  a  strong  man  in  the  pulpit.  His  sermons  were 
clear,  solid  and  eminently  practical  as  appears  from  the 
few  that  were  printed;  as  a  writer,  accurate  and  pointed. 
In  1863  he  was  requested  by  the  Synod  to  prepare  memo- 
rials of  her  deceased  ministers.  How  faithfully  he  per- 
formed the  work  will  appear  from  his  "Necrology,"  which 
contains  thirty  three  sketches  of  deceased  ministers  of 
the  Synod,  together  with  a  compact  sketch  of  the  early 
history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  state.  In  1864 
his  library  was  burned  by  the  enemy,  in  which  he  lost  not 
only  all  of  his  MSS  sermons,  but  also  notes  he  had  been 
collecting  for  a  history  of  the  Church,  which  he  intended 
to  write.  It  is  hard  for  us  to  realize  the  greatness  of  this 
loss,  as  no  man  was  better  qualified  to  write  its  early  his- 
tory than  he,  so  many  of  the  early  facts  coming  under  his 
own  observation. 

Upon  the  whole  Dr.  Wilson  was  a  remarkable  man  in 
many  respects,  and  in  nothing  perhaps  more  than  this, 
that  he  never  reached  the  "Dead  line  in  his  ministry,"  his 
time  of  greatest  efficiency,  being  the  latter  years  of  his 
life.  His  life's  history  was  but  an  illustration  of  the 
Scripture,  "They  shall  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age." 

So  his  life  was  a  living  epistle,  and  convincing  exem- 
plification of  the  truth  of  Christianity.  As  a  friend  once  re- 
marked, "I  am  sometimes  tempted  to  be  a  little  skeptical, 
but  it  all  vanishes  when  I  look  at  that  grand  old  disciple, 
that  living  demonstration  of  Christianity." 

The  honorary  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred 
upn  him  in  1852  by  Oglethorpe  College. 

REV.  JOSEPH  CLAY  STILES  D.  D.  L.  L.  D. 

Rev.  Joseph  C.  Stiles  was  born  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  Dec. 
6,  17%;  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1814;  studied  law  at 
Litchfield,  Conn.,  after  which  he  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  the  same,  having  entered  in  co-partnership  with  W.  W. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     297 

Gordon,  Esq.,  one  of  the  leading  attorneys  of  the  city. 

In  1822  a  severe  affliction  befell  him  in  the  loss  of  his 
wife  which  led  to  his  conviction  and  conversion.  Immed- 
iately upon  his  conversion  he  entered  upon  a  life  of 
Christian  activity,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  informal 
services  of  the  church.  He  also  began  holding  meetings  for 
the  colored  people  on  his  father's  plantation.  Upon  the 
suggestion  of  his  father,  who  told  him  if  he  intended  to 
give  up  the  practice  of  law  and  enter  the  ministry  to  go  to 
some  theological  seminary  and  prepare  himself  for  the 
work,  he  went  to  Andover  Seminary,  where  he  remained 
two  years.  As  evidence  of  his  zeal  and  success  among  the 
colored  people,  we  may  mention,  that  upon  acquainting 
them  with  the  fact  of  his  intention  of  entering  the  Semi- 
nary, they  said  to  him,  that  it  was  "no  use  for  you  to  go 
to  the  Seminary,"  but  upon  his  reminding  them  that  when 
they  went  out  to  their  work  in  the  morning,  they  first 
went  and  ground  their  axes,  and  that  he  was  simply  going 
to  grind  his  axe,"  they  said,  "then  go.  Mars  Joe,  and  grind 
your  axe." 

After  two  years  at  Andover  he  returned  to  Georgia, 
and  was  licensed  by  Hopewell  Presbytery,  April  3,  1825, 
and  ordained  in  Aug.  1826,  by  the  same  body,  as  an  evange- 
list; preaching  at  Milledgeville,  Macon,  and  other  places, 
resulting  in  the  organization  of  these  and  other  Churches. 

In  1829  he  removed  to  Mcintosh  County,  connecting 
himself  with  the  Presbytery  of  Georgia,  Jan.  4,  1855,  from 
w^hich  he  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  West  Lexing- 
ton, Ky.,  March  3,  183  ,  where  he  remained  laboring  in 
the  West  for  about  nine  years,  preaching  at  Cincinnatti, 
Ohio,  Versailes,  Harmony,  Midway  and  other  places. 

In  1844  he  removed  to  Richmond,  Va.,  and  for  four 
years,  was  pastor  of  Shocco  Hill,  now  Grace  St.,  Church, 
In  1848  he  became  pastor  of  Mercer  St.  Church,  New  York, 
which  he  resigned  after  two  years,  on  account  of  failure  of 
health,  and  became  Agent  of  American  Bible  ^ociety,  in 
1850 — 1,  travelling  principally  in  the  South. 

In  1853,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  South  Street  Church, 
New  Haven,  Conn.     The  edifice  was  a  costly  one,     being 


298     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

erected  by  Gerard  Halleck,  editor  of  the  New  York  Journ- 
al of  Commerce,  who  was  desirious  of  having  a  church  in 
that  section  in  sympathy  with  Southern  sentiment.  AATiile 
there  he  was  instrumental  in  the  formation  of  the  Southern 
Aid  Society,  which  did  much  toward  sustaining  many 
feeble  churches  at  the  South. 

In  1859  he  was  elected,  in  connection  with  Rev.  Dr. 
W.  M.  Cunningham  by  the  Synod  of  Georgia,  as  Synodical 
Evangelist.  After  two  years  of  faithful  service,  in  which 
much  good  was  done  in  building  and  strengthening 
churches,  he  returned  with  his  family  to  New  Haven. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war  he  entered  the 
Southern  army  and  labored  faithfully  among  the  soldiers 
as  army  chaplain  until  its  close. 

After  the  war  he  continued  to  labor  as  evangelist  in 
Virginia,  Alabama,  Florida,  Mississippi  and  Missouri,  and 
only  ceased  work  when  physically  disabled.  His  last  ser- 
mon was  preached  at  Union,  Monroe  County,  West  Vir- 
ginia, Jan.  28,  1874.  He  died  in  Savannah  May  27,  1879,  in 
the  80th  year  of  his  age,  after  months  of  weakness  and 
physical  suffering. 

Dr.  Stiles  was  a  most  remarkable  man.  Of  fine  phy- 
sique, striking  features,  pleasant  voice,  strong  imagination 
and  logical  acumen,  he  became  a  preacher  of  unusual 
power;  and  never  failed  to  command  the  attention  of  his 
hearers;  nor  was  it  ever  necessary  for  him  to  resort  to  any 
of  the  sensationalism  of  the  present  day.  His  vivid  pi'e- 
sentation  of  the  simple  truth  was  sufficient  to  excite  the 
greatest  interest.  Under  his  powerful  preaching  many  a 
poor  sinner,  like  Felix  of  old,  was  made  to  tremble  in  his 
seat.  He  had  a  clear  conception  of  the  plan  of  salvation 
and  knew  how  to  make  it  plain  to  others.  "Plunging  into 
his  theme  he  pursued  it  with  wondrous  abstraction  and 
persistent  investment  until  resolved  to  its  first  analysis. 
His  definitions  were  transparent,  his  positions  were  im- 
pregnable, his  rhetoric  and  elocution  were  rich  and  fasci- 
nating, his  imagination  glowing,  and  at  times,  terrific.  As 
he  arose  and  kindled  with  his  subject,  his  irresistible  logic 
and  glowing  figures,  his  ready  utterance,  and  earnest  ap- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     299 

peals,  culminated  in  an  application  absolutely  overwhelm- 
ing." We  regarded  him  as  the  greatest  preacher  we  ever 
heard.  Professor  Goodrich,  teacher  of  elocution  in  Yale 
College,  is  quoted  as  saying  that,  "he  was  the  first  pulpit 
orator  in  America." 

As  a  writer.  Dr.  Stiles  was  clear  and  argumentative, 
as  his  work  on  "Modern  Reform"  will  show,  but  his 
strength  lay  principally  in  his  eloquent  speech. 

To  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  his  style,  we  copy  the 
opening  sentences  of  his  sermon  on  Predestination,  preach- 
ed at  Milledgeville,  Ga.,.  August  1828. 

"He  that  essays  to  comprehend  the  Almighty  unto  per- 
fection, will  soon  reach  the  limit  of  the  human  mind.  If 
man  knows  much,  he  is  ignorant  of  more.  So  far  from 
embracing  the  great  deep  which  spreads  inimitably  be- 
yond his  farthest  thought,  even  the  narrow  compass  of  his 
powers,  there  is  scarcely  an  object  so  mean  or  an  event  so 
common,  but  it  may  boast  something  mysterious  to  man." 

In  1842,  William  W.  Gordon  of  Savannah  died.  Being 
a  most  public  spirited  man,  interested  in  all  internal  im- 
provements in  the  state,  the  promoter  and  urst  president 
of  the  Central  railroad,  and  after  whom  Gordon  County 
was  named,  his  death  was  greatly  lamented.  An  immense 
crowd  followed  his  remains  to  the  cemetery,  when  Dr. 
Stiles,  happening  to  be  in  the  city  at  the  time,  addressed 
the  crowd  as  they  stood  around  the  open  grave,  wth  soft- 
ened hearts  and  open  to  impression,  telling  them  of  the 
ravages  of  death;  how  the  monster  was  turning  them  out  of 
the  body,  turning  them  out  of  this  world,  turning  them  into 
the  hands  of  the  Almighty  God,  and  turning  them  into  the 
unchanging  retributions  of  Eternity.  The  address,  it  is 
said,  was  "powerful  and  stirring,"  and  was  followed  by  a 
series  of  meetings  conducted  by  him  in  the  city,  which  re- 
sulted in  great  good. 

Dr.  Stiles  was  a  man  of  the  deepest  humility.  Just  be- 
fore his  death  he  wrote  to  a  friend:  "If  possible  I  am  still 
more  sensible  of  man's  utter  helpfulness  and  Christ's  all 
sufficient  fulness.  No  words  can  tell  you,  my  dear  brother, 
what  an  unfaithful  and  useless  life  I  seem  to  have  lived, 


300     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

and  what  a  worthless  guilty  creature  I  am,  and  ever  have 
been." 

His  death,  however,  was  triumphant.  Dr.  Axson  who 
visited  him  during  his  last  sickness  writes:  "When  his  feet 
touched  the  waters  of  the  river,  nearer  and  nearer,  with 
the  consolations  of  his  love,  the  dear  Lord  came  till  the 
soul  began  to  run  over,  and  he  could  only  tell  of  the  ex- 
uberance of  his  happiness,  and  utter  benedictions  on  those 
who  stood  around  him." 

The  honorary  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred 
upon  him  in  1846,  by  the   Transylvania  University,     and 
that  of  L.  L.  D.  by  the  University  of  Georgia  in  1860. 
REV.  GROVES  H.   CARTLEDGE. 

We  know  of  no  one  in  the  entire  list  of  ministers  ever 
in  connection  with  the  Synod  more  worthy  of  honorable 
mention  than  Rev.  Groves  Harrison  Cartledge.  Spending  his 
entire  life  in  what  might  be  regarded  as  a  more  obscure 
part  of  the  state,  and  building  little,  if  any  upon  any  other 
man's  foundation,  he  has  done  a  great  work  which  shows 
for  itself.  The  churches  of  Homer  and  Hebron,  built  up 
chiefly  through  his  ministry,  to  say  nothing  of  other  labors, 
will  ever  stand  as  monuments  of  his  zeal  and  self  sacrific- 
ing work.  No  churches,  perhaps,  are  better  indoctrinated 
and  more  strongly  established  in  the  truth,  being  thorough- 
ly taught  in  the  fundamental  truths  of  our  faith.  His 
teaching  was  doctrinal  as  well  as  practical.  No  man  was 
ever  more  sound  in  the  faith  and  none  naore  Scriptural  in 
his  expositions,  or  more  consecrated  to  his  work.  His  was 
the  longest  pastorate  thus  far  in  the  Synod,  being  47 
years,  1852 — 1899.  There  have  been  only  three  others  any 
where  near  it,  viz.,  James  Stacy,  Newnan,  43  years 
1857—1900;  Dr.  Quigg,  Conyers,  38  years,  1866—1904;  Rev. 
Dr.  Axson,  Independent  Church,  Savannah,  1857 — 1891,  34 
years. 

Rev.  Groves  H.  Cartledge  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
Ga.,  Feb.  15,  1820,  and  almost  his  whole  life  was  spent 
within  25  miles  of  the  place  of  his  birth.  He  graduated 
with  distinction  in  Oglethorpe  University  in  1845;  entered 
the  Columbia  Seminary  the  same  year  for  the  study  of 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     301 

Hebrew;  licensed  by  Hopewell  Presbytery  Oct.  1846,  hav- 
ing studied  Theology  during  his  college  course,  under  Dr. 
S.  K.  Talmage.  In  1847  he  located  at  Lrexington,  teaching 
and  preaching  for  two  years,  after  which  his  health  failing, 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Madison  county,  and  entered 
th€  home  missionary  field,  in  Madison  and  Elbert  counties. 

In  1852  he  commenced  to  supply  the  churches  of  He- 
bron and  New  Lebanon  (now  Homer)  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  j^ear  installed  pastor  by  Hopewell  Presbytery  and 
continued  to  sustain  that  relation  for  forty  seven  years, 
till  his  death.  Though  other  and  flattering  offers  were 
made  him  by  other  churches,  he  declined  them  and  re- 
mained with  the  same  to  which  he  had  become  attached. 
For  a  while  he  acted  as  Domestic  Missionary  of  his 
Presbytery  in  connection  with  his  regular  pastorate  as  he 
had  opprtunity. 

Bro.  Cartledge  was  a  man  of  strong  native  intellect, 
of  general  reading,  having  acquired  a  vast  fund  of  inform- 
ation; well  versed  and  powerful  in  the  Scriptures,  always 
interesting  and  instructive  in  his  preaching;  an  independ- 
ent thinker.  Though  raised  a  Baptist,  he  became  a  decided 
Presbyterian,  never  having  heard  a  Presbyterian  sermon 
till  about  grown.  No  man  exerted  a  greater  influence  in 
that  whole  section  of  country.  He  was  a  public  spirited 
citizen,  an  able  minister,  faithful  pastor  and  an  able  ex- 
pounder of  the  Word.  'Commencing  as  a  missionary  with 
two  feeble  churches,  he  built  them  up  till  they  became  the 
strongest  country  churches  in  the  Presbytery,  and  at  the  , 
same  time  planting  and  organizing  quite  a  number  of 
churches  in  and  around  his  native  County.  No  man  had 
more  of  the  confidence  of  the  people,  or  did  more  for  the 
cause  of  Presbyterianism  in  that  whole  part  of  the  state. 
Preferring  an  humble  and  obscure  field,  he  resisted  all 
offers  to  larger  and  more  attractive  churches.  Had  he 
preferred  to  do  otherwise,  we  know  of  no  reason  why  he 
might  not  have  won  for  himself  a  name  and  wide  reputa- 
tin  in  the  country  at  large.  But  he  preferred  to  do  his 
Master's  w^ork  in  a  quiet  and  unobtrusive  manner,  and 
doubtless  his  crown  will  at  last  be  but  the  brighter,  and  the 


302     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Master  will  say  unto  him  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant,  ent^r  thou  into  the  joys  of  thy  Lord." 

His  health  failing  in  1897  he  tendered  his  resignation 
which  was  declined  by  his  charge,  but  continued  Pastor  Em- 
eritus till  his  death,  which  occurred  July  5, 1899.  He  was  bur- 
ied in  the  cemetery  of  the  Hebron  church,  and  his  memory 
still  lingers  as  fragant  incense  in  the  entire  community. 
He  has  left  two  sons  in  the  ministry.  Rev.  T.  D.  and  S.  J. 
Cartledge,  and  upon  whom  his  mantle  has  worthily  fallen. 

The  Synod  adopted  a  suitable  memorial  at  its  meeting 
at  Valdosta  in  1901.  He  has  also  left  an  autobiography  of 
himself,  now  in  the  hand  of  his  son,  Rev.  S.  J.  Cartledge. 
He  has  also  left  a  volume  of  sermons  and  some  interesting 
"Sketches"  of  early  Presbyterian  History,  w'hich  have  been 
published. 

1865,  was  a  year  of  great  revival  in  both  Homer  and 
Hebron  Churches,  39  being  added  to  the  former  and  36  to 
the  latter.  The  Holy  Spirit  had  been  working  mightily 
upon  the  hearts  of  the  members  and  people,  insomuch  that 
the  pastor  felt  assured  that  the  churches  were  upon  the 
eve  of  a  great  revival,  and  he  so  stated  publicly.  The 
following  account  of  a  meeting  held  at  the  Hebron  Church 
during  that  year,  and  commonly  spoken  of  as  the  "Laugh- 
ing Meeting,"  is  taken  from  the  "Autobiography"  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Cartledge,  and  in  his  own  w^ords:  "I  have  witnessed 
many  revivals."  said  he,  "but  have  never  seen  any  that 
seemed  to  have  such  a  deep,  happy  and  lasting  effect  upon 
the  church  itself." 

"The  interest  had  constantly  increased  from  Friday 
Morning  till  Tuesday  afternoon,  everything  so  far  quiet 
and  orderly.  A  goodly  number  had  obtained  a  hope,  and 
many  others  confessed.  Christians  had  been  growing 
more  and  more  happy,  until  it  was  becoming  painful  for 
them  to  suppress  their  emotions.  Such  was  the  state  of 
feeling  in  the  vast  assemblege  when  Bro.  Milburn  (Cum- 
berland Minister  assisting)  rose  and  began  his  sermon  on 
that  memorable  day,  which  we  still  call  the  'Day  of  Pente- 
cost.' The  text  was  the  invitation  of  Moses  to  Hobab, 
"'Come  thou  with  us   and  we  will  do  thee  good,  for  the 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     303 

Lord  hath  spoken  good  concerning  Israel.  Num.  10,  29.  In 
the  intrduction,  the  preacher  gave  a  historical  narrative  of 
the  circumstances  in  which  the  words  of  the  text  were 
spoken.  Before  he  had  gotten  through  with  these  historical 
details,  the  emotions  of  the  congregation  became  uncon- 
trollable and  many  began  to  give  vent  to  their  pentup  feel- 
ings in  noisy  demonstrations  of  joy.  The  preacher,  finding 
that  he  could  neither  restrain  the  people  nor  proceed  with 
his  sermon,  simply  said:  "It  is  useless  for  me  to  try  to 
preach.  We,  too,  are  journeying  to  that  good  land  of 
which  the  Lord  hath  said  I  will  give  it  to  you,  'Come  thou 
with  us  and  we  will  do  thee  good.' 

"The  scene  which  followed  beggared  description.  Every 
one  in  that  great  congregation,  with  scarcely  an  exception, 
was  making  som.e  audible  demonstration  of  joy.  And  yet 
every  demonstration  was  appropriate  and  becoming.  The 
usual  expression  of  joy  was  laughter,  the  most  hearty,  joy- 
ous laughter  ever  heard,  and  shaking  hands,  friend  with 
friend,  telling  each  other  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  their 
souls,  and  praising  God  for  his  redeeming  grace.  Every 
eye  seemed  to  sparkle  wuth  heavenly  intelligence,  and 
every  countenance  beamed  with  celestial  radiance  and 
glory. 

Those  of  other  denominations  who  were  present  were 
affected  as  we  w^ere  and  expressed  their  joy  just  as  we  did. 
Those  who,  up  to  this  hour,  had  been  greatly  alarmed  on 
account  of  their  sins,  with  only  one  or  two  exceptions,  ob- 
tained deliverances  and  seemed  to  be  as  happy  as  any  of 
the  rest. 

After  allowing  the  people  to  give  expression  to  their 
joy,  for  perhaps  an  hour,  and  wishing  to  reduce  them  to 
order,  I  called  for  a  hymn.  Several  of  our  singers  began, 
but  broke  out  into  laughter  before  they  had  finished  the 
first  verse.  Other  efforts  w'ere  made,  but  always  with 
the  same  results.  Finding  the  people  were  too  happy  to 
sing,  I  called  on  a  good  old  Methodist  Brother  to  pray. 
Laughing  as  hard  as  he  could,  he  replied.  Brother  Cart- 
ledge,  please  call  upon  some  one  else  I  am  too  full  to  pray." 
I  then  called  on  one  of  the  oldest  Elders.     He  began,  but 


304     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

before  he  had  finished  the  first  sentence  he  broke  out  into 
loud,  joyous  laughter.  Chokng  down  his  laughter  with  a 
great  effort,  he  again  began  to  pray,  and  again  broke  down 
as  at  first. 

I  then  attempted  to  pray;  and  the  people  kept  mod- 
erately quiet;  but  as  soon  as  I  had  finished,  they  broke 
out  afresh.  Abandoning  all  further  effort  to  restrain  their 
emotions,  I  left  them  to  laugh  and  talk  and  shake  hands 
till  about  four  o'clock,  when  I  arose  and  pronounced  the 
Benediction.  Then  the  happy  people  left  the  house,  and 
started  for  their  homes,  still  laughing  and  talking,  and 
praising  God.  In  many  hordes  these  demonstrations  con- 
tinued nearly  all  night,  the  happy  souls  declaring,  that  if 
they  did  not  give  expressions  to  their  emotions,  they 
would  surely  burst  asunder." 

REV.  J.  C.  PATTERSON,  D.  D. 

The  writer  well  remembers  an  incident  in  the  life  of 
this  faithful  servant  of  the  LfOrd.  He  appeared  before  the 
Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  for  the  last  time  at  its  meeting  in 
Atlanta  in  the  Central  Church,  May  3rd,  1866.  Just  before 
the  close  of  the  Presbytery,  on  Saturday  evening.  Dr.  Pat- 
terson arose  and  said,  that  he  w^as  particularly  desirous  of 
attending  this  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  as  he  felt  as- 
sured that  this  would  be  his  last,  as  we  all  too  plainly 
saw,  from  the  enlarged  glands  in  his  neck  and  throat,  of 
which  he  afterwards  died.  He  said  he  desired  to  meet 
with  his  brethren  to  express  to  them  his  continued 
esteem,  confidence  and  love,  and  to  bid  them  a  final 
adieu,  and  also  to  leave  his  testimony  behind  to  the  sus- 
taining and  comforting  power  of  God's  grace.  After  ex- 
horting us  to  be  faithful  he  said  that  though  he  knew  he 
would  soon  die,  yet  he  wished  us  to  know  that  he  had  no 
fears  of  death,  that  he  was  afraid  of  but  one  thing,  and 
that  was  sin,  and  after  pausing  for  a  moment  added,  (his 
countenance  brightening  with  the  thought)  and  I  am  not 
afraid  even  of  sin,  for  it  is  written,  "Sin  shall  not  have 
dominion  over  you."  Such  testimony  from  such  a  man 
under  such  circumstances,  was  truly  strengthening  and  re- 
freshing, and  those  of  us  who  were  present  felt  it  was  a 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     305 

message  to   us   directly  from   the     heavenly     world;    God 
speaking  to  us  through  the  mouth  of  his  servant. 

Another  instance  of  the  suggestive  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  received  from  his  own  lips:  In  early  life  he  was 
in  poor  health.  Once  when  on  his  w^ay  to  his  appointment, 
riding  on  horse  back,  he  became  impressed  with  the 
thought  that  he  would  surely  die  on  the  road  side.  In  the 
midst  of  his  despondency,  the  passage  of  Scripture  came 
forcibly  to  mind,  "I  shall  not  die,  but  live  to  declare  the 
wonderful  works  of  God."  He  believed  it,  he  said,  and 
went  on  his  way  with  confidence  and  strength  to  his  ap- 
pointment. 

REV.  SAMUEL  J.  CASSELS. 

When  a  student  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Colum- 
bia, S.  C,  the  writer  passing  through  Savannah,  called  to 
see  Mr.  Cassels.  He  found  him  in  bed,  weak  and  emacia- 
ted, hardly  able  to  speak  above  a  whisper.  During  the 
conversation,  he  remarked  to  me,  in  his  low  whispering 
voice,  with  occasional  pauses  as  gasping  for  breath, 
"Brother  Stacy,  I  will  tell  you  what  you  will  do  when  you 
enter  the  ministry,  you  are  going  to  preach  two-thirds 
Stacy  and  one  third  Christ."  I  need  not  say  that  I 
felt  the  thrust  keenly  and  thought  that  although  I  knew 
that  I  was  ambitious  and  thought  pretty  well  of  myself  and 
my  powers,  yet  I  did  not  see  why  I  was  so  much  worse 
than  others  to  be  thus  singled  out  for  such  an  admonition. 
He  continued,  and  to  my  great  relief  added.  "This  is  the 
way  I  did;  I  at  first  preached  two  thirds  Cassels,  and  one 
third  Christ,  but  of  late  I  think  I  have  been  able  to  re- 
verse the  order,  and  preach  one  third  Cassels  and  two 
thirds  Christ."  I  have  often  remembered  the  remark,  and 
been  compelled  to  admit  to  myself,  ,the  justice  and  forceful 
application  of  the  unintentional  rebuke. 

REV.  HENRY  KOLLOCK,  D.  D. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  eldest  of  ten  child- 
ren, and  born  in  New  Providence,  N.  J.,  Dec.  14,  1778; 
graduated  at  Princeton  College,  1794;  tutor  in  the  same 
from  1797 — 1800;  Licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York 
May  7,  1800,  and  ordained  and  installed  by  the  same  body, 


306     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

pastor  at  Elizabethtown,  Dec.  10,  1800.  December,  1803,  he 
was  chosen  to  fill  the  chair  of  Divinity  in  the  College, 
where  he  remained,  also  supplying  the  pulpit  at  -the  same 
time,  till  1806,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Independent 
Church,  Savannah,  where  he  continued  till  his  death  in 
1819. 

Having  become  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick  at  this  time,  he  was  dismissed  by  that  body  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell,  Savannah  at  that  time  being 
in  its  bounds;  but  as  the  Presbytery  of  Harmony  was  set 
up  that  same  year,  the  letter  was  presented  to  and  he  was 
received  by  that  body  at  its  second  meeting  in  Augusta, 
Jan.  11,  1811,  the  first  meeting  in  Septebmer  being  a  fail- 
ure for  want  of  a  quorum. 

Dr.  Kollock  was  a  man  of  rare  gifts  and  accomplish- 
ments of  culture,  elegant  speech,  polished  address,  and 
deep  piety  withal  and  soon  acquired  a  wide  reputation  as 
an  orator  and  scholar.  This  appears  from  the  fact  already 
mentioned  that  he  was  called  to  fill  the  chair  of  Divinity  at 
Princton  College  in  1803,  when  only  25  years  old,  and  also 
having  the  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  conferred  upon  him 
by  Harvard  College  in  1806  at  the  age  of  28;  the  same  also 
being  conferred  a  few  months  later,  by  Union  College.  His 
reputation  grew  as  the  years  advanced.  In  1810  he  was 
elected  to  fill  the  position  of  president  at  the  State  Univer- 
sity. This  position  he  declined,  however.  So  in  the  same 
year,  at  the  solicitation  of  friends,  ne  published  a  volume 
or  his  sermons,  thus  continuing  to  grow  in  reputation  and 
to  entrench  himself  in  the  hearts  of  his  people  and  the 
community,  till  at  length  a  dark  shadow  crossed  his  path 
which  brought  great  distress  to  his  heart  as  well  as  that 
of  his  people  and  friends,  and  came  near  crushing  his 
noble  spirit. 

It  was  customary  at  that  early  day,  to  keep  spirituous 
liquors  on  the  sideboard  for  the  use  of  the  family  as  well 
as  guests,  which  would  be  considered  a  breach  of  courtesy 
not  to  offer  to  the  guests.  This  was  not  only  considered  an 
act  of  courtesy,  but  even  demanded  by  the  unhealthy 
climate  and  impure  water,  which,  as  Pat  Tailfer  et  al,  in 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     307 

their  pronunciamento,  declared  "needed  qualifying,"  as 
every  body  thought,  if  not  "believed,"  as  they  said.  Dr. 
Kollock  fell  into  the  general  practice,  especially  at  times 
when  worn  down  with  his  .arduous  labors,  for  in  addition  to 
regular  Sabbath  services,  he  conducted  meetings  in  the 
week,  and  many  times  in  summer  he  would  be  the  only 
minister  in  the  place. 

In  1812,  the  Genera]  Assembly  passed  some  stringent 
resolutions  on  the  subject  of  Intemperance.  (Min.  P.  8  «&  9). 

The  next  year  (1813)  rumors  were  in  circulation  that 
Dr.  Kollock  was  indulging  too  freely  and  became  so  ad- 
dicted to  the  habitual  use  of  strong  drink  as  to  be  unable  to 
control  himself,  and  so  much  so  that  several  ministers 
and  Elders  signed  a  call  for  a  Pro  Re  Nata  Meeting  of  the 
,  Presbytery. 

As  early  as  1812,  such  rumors  were  afloat,  and  were 
privately  communicated  to  him,  with  tenderness  and  can- 
dor and  in  return  received  assurance  of  future  circum- 
spection and  constancy,  but  new  instances  being  charged 
the  above  call  was  considered  necessary. 

Pursuant  to  the  call,  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery 
was  held  at  Edgefield  C.  H.  August  11,  1813,  at  which  time 
charges  were  tabled,  witnesses  summoned,  distant  testi- 
mony ordered  taken,  and  he  cited  to  appear  at  next  regu- 
lar meeting  to  answer. 

While  on  the  threshold  of  this  painful  duty,  Presby- 
tery received  from  him  a  communication,  in  which  he  says 
"I  do  hereby  withdraw  from  the  Presbyterian  Govern- 
ment," together  with  an  argument  of  some  length  and 
ability  showing,  as  he  claimed,  that  the  only  Presbytery 
of  the  Scriptures  known  to  the  early  church  was  that  which 
was  Parochial  or  Congregational. 

Presbytery  in  their  reply  said  that  they  regarded  it 
unfortunate  that  he  should  take  a  position  of  that  kind  at 
that  time,  and  suggested  that  fear  of  conviction,  perhaps, 
was  the  real  ground  of  objection,  and  that  they  regarded 
his  conduct  as  an  act  of  contumacy,  and  in  the  exercise  of 
the  authority,  vested  in  them  as  well  as  a  conscious  sense 
of  the  responsibility  resting  upon  them,  they  suspended 


308     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

him  from  the  ministry.  In  the  mean  time  the  Stated  Clerk 
was  directed  to  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of  the  action  and 
also  to  cite  him  to  appear  at  the  next  meeting  and  show 
reason  why  sentence  of  deposition  should  not  be  passed. 

By  invitation  the  next  sessions  of  Presbytery  were 
held  in  the  Scotch  church,  Charleston,  April  14,  1814.  Dr. 
Kollock  neither  appearing  nor  sending  any  communication. 
Presbytery  proceeded  to  depose  him  from  the  ministry. 

Thus  matters  remained  for  two  years,  Dr  Kollock  dis- 
regarding the  action  of  the  Presbytery  and  continuing  to 
preach  as  heretofore,  and  his  people  still  clinging  to  him 
and  waiting  upon  his  ministry  till  January  25,  1816,  when 
there  was  a  called  meeting  at  White  Bluff  for  the  ordina- 
tion and  installation  of  Rev.  Thomas  Goulding  as  pastor. 
At  this  meeting  there  were  no  Elders  and  only  the  follow- 
ing four  ministers,  viz:  Dr.  McWhir,  John  Cousar,  Jno.  R, 
Thompson,  D.  D.,  and  Murdoch  Murphy.  Although  the 
meeting  was  called  only  to  ordain  and  install  Mr.  Gould- 
ing, the  Presbytery  took  up  the  case  of  Dr.  Kollock  and 
proceeded  to  annul  the  sentence  of  deposition,  and  re- 
stored him  to  the  ministry  and  recommended  him  to  be 
treated  as  a  minister  of  good  and  regular  standing.  They 
also  instructed  their  clerk.  Rev.  John  Cousar,  to  send  a 
copy  of  these  minutes  to  each  member  of  the  Presbytery 
and  to  the  Moderator  of  each  Presbytery  under  the  General 
Assembly. 

The  Presbytery,  at  its  next  regular  meeting,  refused  to 
ratify  these  irregular  proceedings,  charging  the  pro  re  nata 
meeting  with  transcending  its  authority  in  considerng  any- 
thing but  what  was  included  in  the  call.  Besides,  that  they 
had  no  direct  and  formal  communication  from  Dr.  Kollock 
expressing  either  repentence  or  promise  of  reformation, 
and  only  some  private  letters  to  some  of  the  members  of 
vague  and  indefinite  character;  that  the  communications 
were  all  informal,  and  therefore  no  ground  for  their  action. 

Such  irregular  action  of  the  Presbytery  gave  occas- 
sion  to  a  great  deal  of  talk  and  discussion  concerning  the 
conduct  of  the  case,  wherefore  the  Presbytery  addressed 
a  letter   to  the   General   Assembly,   rehearsing   the  entire 


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THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     309 

case,  and  asking  for  advice,  and  concluding  with  the  state- 
ment "If  you  find  us  wrong,  condemn  us;  if  right,  give  us 
the  support  of  your  public  approbation."  The  Assembly 
made  a  reply  in  which  they  expressed  their  great  sympa- 
thy for  them  "in  the  painful  business  detailed  to  them  and 
lamenting  the  unpleasant  events  which  had  taken  place." 
They  also  expressed  a  willingness  to  consider  the  case  when 
all  the  facts  could  be  gathered  and  presented,  yet  they  at 
the  same  time  suggested  that  the  case  be  referred  to  the 
Synod  of  South  Carolina,  (Min.  1816  p.  615)  which  was  ac- 
cordingly done  at  its  meeting  at  Willington.  The  Synod 
decided  that  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  at  White  Bluff 
was  irregular  and  sustained  the  action  of  the  Presbytery 
at  Charleston  in  repealing  the  action  of  the  White  Bluff 
Presbytery,  thus  leaving  Dr.  KoUock  under  sentence  of 
deposition. 

Dr.  Kollock  continued  his  ministrations  notwith- 
standing this  action  of  the  church  courts,  being  upheld  by 
his  devoted  people  and  the  community  in  general,  many  of 
whom,  not  understanding  the  government  of  the  church, 
felt  that  he  had  been  treated  with  undue  severity,  declaring 
the  action  "arbitrary,  unwise  and  tyrannical." 

All  this  was  extremely  painful  to  Dr.  Kollock.  After 
the  first  action  of  the  Presbytery  he  writes:  "I  do  not 
then  attend  the  Presbytery  and  I  cannot  recognize  your 
authority  over  me.  To  me  it  is  a  matter  of  little  conse- 
quence what  you  do.  Life  has  lost  its  charms  to  me,  and, 
confiding  in  the  cross  to  which  I  have  fled  and  relying  on 
that  infinite  grace,  which  is  all  my  plea,  hoping  as  a  par- 
doned sinner  to  sing  the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb,  I 
wait  for  the  liberating  stroke  of  death.  I  have  received  a 
wound  in  my  heart  which  will  cause  me  to  groan  all  my 
days." 

In  reviewing  the  case  we  can  see  errors  and  mistakes 
committed  on  both  sides.  Dr.  Kollock  erred  in  resisting  the 
authority  of  the  Presbytery  to  which  he  had  promised  obed- 
ience, and  furthermore  in  not  confessing  his  sin  and  ask- 
ing forgiveness  and  restoration.  Had  he  done  this  his 
brethren  doubtless   would   most  gladly  have  forgiven  and 


310     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

restored  him,  as  clearly  appears  from  the  unconstitutional 
action  of  the  Presbytery  at  White  Bluff,  and  also  from  the 
fact  that  it  seemed  that  he  had  reformed,  as  appears  from 
an  unpublished  letter  in  reply  to  the  letter  of  the  Presby- 
tery to  the  General  Assembly  in  which  he  says  "Is  not 
your  address  calculated  and  designed  to  represent  me  as 
perfectly  abandoned  to  intemperance?  And  yet  you  well 
know  that  on  this  point  I  had  long  abstained  from  the  very 
appearance  of  evil,  and  was  not  only  temperate  but  rigidly 
abstemious?"  Howe.  II.  241.  And  second,  from  the  fact 
that  he  afterwards  rendered  acceptable  service  to  the 
church,  no  charges  being  afterwards  brought  against  him 
by  any  one. 

Dr.  Kollock  continued  to  entrench  himself  in  the 
hearts  of  his  people  who  clung  to  him,  and  whose  confi- 
dence in  his  purity  and  integrity  was  not  at  all  shaken.  In- 
deed, his  misfortune  seemed  only  to  have  had  the  effect  to 
draw  them  closer  to  him,  and  to  w^hom  he  v/as  the  more 
willing  to  embosom  himself  in  the  warmth  of  a  pastor's 
love.  From  Mr.  Raymond  Demere  a  Ruling  Elder  in  Bry- 
an Neck  Church,  and  whose  parents  were  members  of 
Dr.  Kollock's  church,  and  he  a  boy  at  the  time,  I  learn  some 
time  during  his  troubles  he  delivered  a  sermon  or  address 
from  the  text,  "This  is  my  infirmity,"  and  which  Mr.  De- 
mere said  fell  upon  the  audience  with  Magic  effect,  and  we 
can  well  imagine  the  effect  of  his  eloquence  upon  a  people 
in  full  sympathy  with  him. 

Their  continued  interest  in  him  further  exhibited  it- 
self in  the  fact  that  they  increased  his  salary  from  $3,000, 
to  which  a  parsonage  had  been  added,  to  $4,000. 

Dr.  Kollock's  popularity  continued  till  his  death.  His 
health  failing  in  1817,  he  visited  Europe,  travelling  in  Eng- 
land, France  and  Italy,  preaching  with  power  to  crowded 
and  interested  audiences  in  the  British  Isles,  his  brother, 
Dr.  Sheppard  K.  Kollock  supplying  his  pulpit  during  his 
absence.  He  also  visited  Europe  to  gather  materials  for 
a  life  of  Calvin,  which  he  had  commenced,  but  finding  it 
necessary  for  him  to  go  to  Germany  to  get  those  materials 
and  his  time  being  too  short,  he  never  completed  the  work. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     311 

His  congregation  increasing,  it  became  necessary  to 
erect  a  larger  building  for  their  accommodation.  So  a  new 
building  was  erected  on  its  present  site  which  was  dedi- 
cated by  himself  May  9,  1819.  Text  Hag.  II,  7.  Ser.  Vol.  IV. 
p.  250.  The  building  was  built  of  material  most  of  which 
was  brought  from  the  North,  and  cost  $96,108,  the  cost, 
size  and  splendor  showing  the  resources  of  the  city  at  that 
time,  the  strength  and  influence  of  the  congregation,  as 
well  as  the  influence  and  power  of  the  pastor. 

After  a  period  of  thirteen  years'  service  this  remark- 
able man  was  called  to  his  reward  December  29,  1819,  in 
the  41st  year  of  his  age.  His  end  was  peace.  His  funeral 
was  largely  attended,  the  ministers  of  the  city  taking 
part.  Rev.  Mr.  Sweat  (Baptist)  introduced  the  services 
with  psalmody  and  prayer,  Rev.  (afterwards  Bishop)  Cap- 
ers preached  the  sermon.  Rev.  Mr.  Goulding,  of  White 
Bluff,  concluded  with  prayer,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Cranston,  Epis- 
copal) reading  the  Episcopal  service  at  the  grave. 

The  funeral  was  on  Friday  and  was  largely  attended  by 
all  classes  and  professions.  No  man  more  honored  than 
he.  His  death  was  regarded  as  a  public  calamity.  The 
papers  announcing  his  death  appeared  in  mourning.  The 
Mayor  issued  proclamation  requiring  all  the  stores  to  be 
closed;  and  a  universal  suspension  of  business.  All  the 
vessels  in  the  harbor  with  colors  at  halfmast.  MEM,  Pref. 
Vol.  I.  42. 

In  1806  at  the  age  of  28,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Di- 
vinity was  conferred  upon  him  by  Harvard  College,  and 
also  by  Union  College  a  few  months  later.  After  his  death 
4  Volumes  of  his  sermons,  edited  by  his  brother,  were  pub- 
lished, the  last  containing  those  published  by  himself  in 
1817  at  the  solicitations  of  his  friends. 

Dr.  Kollock  married  June  1,  1804,  Mrs.  Mahetebel, 
widow  of  Alexander  Campbell,  Esq.,  of  Richmond,  Va.  He 
had  no  children. 

Dr.  James  W.  Alexander,  in  his  memoir  of  his  father. 
Dr.  A.  Alexander,  speaks  of  Dr.  Kollock,  "As  one  of  the 
most  ornate,  yet  vehement  orators  whom  this  country  has 
prduced."  So  Bishop  Capers  of  the  Methodist  Church  said 


312     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

of  him,  "I  have  not  heard  more  than  one  speaker  in  my 
life  whom  I  thought  fairly  on  a  par  with  him,  and  that 
was  Dr.  Jonathan  Maxcy,  the  first  President  of  South 
Carolina  College,"  Howe,  II.  243. 

REV.  JAMES  STACY 

The  writer  hopes  to  be  pardoned  for  a  personal  allu- 
sion in  giving  the  following  incident: 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  incidents  in  the  author's 
life  occurred  in  the  year  1865.  The  Presbytery  of 
Flint  River  extended  at  that  time  from  Lawrenceville  on 
the  North  to  the  Florida  line  on  the  South.  The  Presby- 
tery met  that  Fall  in  October  at  Americus.  The  Rev.  Geo. 
C.  Coit  was  then  pastor  of  the  Church,  a  most  excellent 
and  lovely  brother,  and  withal  filled  with  the  Spirit;  and 
was  exceedingly  desirous  for  a  blessing  upon  the  church. 
After  the  close  of  the  Presbytery,  and  at  his  request.  Rev, 
Messrs.  Wm,  M.  Cunningham,  R.  T.  Marks  and  James 
Stacy  remained  to  assist  in  carrying  on  a  meeting.  The 
meeting  was  continued  for  several  days  and  resulted  in  a 
revival  of  the  Church  and  the  addition  of  several  members. 
This  might  easily  have  been  predicted  from  the  fact  that 
the  pastor  was  himself  so  stirred.  The  Holy  Spirit 
never  awakens  desires  within  us  to  mock  us.  So  revivals 
also  usually  begin  in  the  heart  of  some  one,  or  a  few  of 
the  members.  Brother  Coit  seemed  unusually  wrought 
upon,  as  appeared  from  a  prayer  offered  by  him  concerning 
which  it  was  remarked  by  one  of  the  brethren,  that  "no 
man  could  offer  such  a  prayer  who  was  not  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

During  the  Presbytery  there  were  in  attendance  a 
number  of  the  young  people  from  Fort  Gaines,  to  which 
people  the  writer  had  frequently  ministered  during  his  set- 
tlement at  Cuthbert  and  Lumpkin.  This  was  his  first 
charge  in  1853,  his  time  being  divided  between  those  two 
fields  with  occasional  visits  to  Fort  Gaines.  After  a  few 
days  his  Fort  Gaines  friends  left  for  their  homes.  Feeling 
a  deep  interest  in  them  his  heart  followed  them.  Before 
leaving,  they  gave  him  a  warm  and  pressing  invitation  to 
go  to  Fort  Gaines  and  hold  a  meeting  for  them  and  in  that 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN   GEORGIA     313 

place.  This  was  a  new  proposition  to  him,  as  he  had  left 
his  home  at  Newnan  with  no  intention  of  going  anywhere 
else  than  Presbytery,  and,  as  he  had  already  been  away 
from  home  several  days  over  his  time,  he  hesitated,  not 
knowing  what  course  to  pursue.  But  as  his  heart  went 
with  his  friends,  in  whom  he  felt  the  greatest  interest,  he 
concluded  to  accede  to  their  request,  and  asked  them  to 
make  the  appointment  for  the  meeting,  which  they  did,  to 
begin  on  Friday  night;  at  which  time  he  began  the  meet- 
ing. There  being  at  that  time  no  other  minister  of  any 
other  denomination  in  the  place,  the  entire  burden  of  the 
preaching,  for  a  time,  rested  on  him.  The  Spirit  of  God, 
however,  seemed  to  be  present  from  the  very  beginning. 
The  whole  town  was  stirred.  Although  the  interest  was 
unabated,  yet  on  Tuesday  after  the  preacher  felt  im- 
pressed that  he  should  close  the  meeting,  which  he  did  in 
face  of  the  protestation  of  the  entire  congregation.  And 
what  seemed  so  remarkable  about  it,  was  the  fact  that 
there  was  no  special  reason  for  so  doing,  or  to  return  to 
his  people,  whose  minds  and  thoughts  were  entirely  absorb- 
ed about  the  'war  and  its  issues,  and  really  he  did  not  see  him- 
self why  he  should  so  decide  till  afterwards.  So  contrary 
to  the  expressed  wishes  of  the  people,  and  the  earnest  en- 
treaty of  his  young  friends  concerning  whom  he  felt  so 
much  concern,  and  the  fact  patent  to  every  one  that  the 
harvest  had  not  yet  been  gathered,  he  closed  the  meeting 
on  Tuesday  night,  after  receiving  eight  members  into  the 
church,  and  took  the  train  for  his  home  in  Newnan  on 
the  next,  Wednesday,  morning.  Scarcely  had  he  closed 
the  meeting  when  the  question  at  once'  sprang  up  for  debate 
in  his  mind  whether  he  had  done  right  in  leaving  a  field  so 
ripe  for  the  harvest,  and  with  such  manifest  tokens  of  the 
Divine  presence  and  favor?  This  feeling  only  increased 
during  the  night,  and  next  morning,  at  sunrise  he  boarded 
the  cars  under  the  most  conflicting  emotions.  He  sat  on 
the  rear  seat  in  the  end  of  the  car,  and  as  the  train  moved 
off  he  felt  very  much  as  Jonah  did,  that  he  was  fleeing 
away  from  duty;  and  as  the  car  moved  around  the  high 
bluff  and  as  he  looked  back  to  take  the  last  view  his  heart 


314     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

sank  within  him,  and  he  could  but  seek  relief  in  tears. 
For  now  he  was  just  as  much  persuaded  that  he  had  done 
wrong,  as  he  had  felt  that  he  had  done  right  in  closing  the 
meeting.  "His  distress  continued  as  he  journeyed  on,  and 
found  no  relief  till  he  resolved  to  return.  On  leaving 
Americus  he  promised  the  brethren,  Cunningham  and 
Marks,  that  he  would  stop  at  Americus  and  report  the  re- 
sult of  the  meeting  at  Fort  Gaines.  His  mind,  however, 
was  fully  made  up  to  return  to  Fort  Gaines  the  next  day, 
although  sixty  miles  on  his  w^ay  home,  and  which  he  ac- 
cordingly did;  and  never  did  he  a  thing  with  more  joyful- 
ness.  Next  day,  therefore,  he  started  on  his  backward 
journey.  On  passing  through  Cuthbert,  his  old  home,  he 
felt  actually  ashamed  to  look  out  of  the  window  lest  he 
should  be  recognized  by  some  of  his  friends  who  knew  that 
he  had  closed  the  meeting  at  Fort  Gaines  and  had  passed 
through  their  place  the  day  before  on  his  way  home,  and 
therefore  would  w^onder  the  reasons  for  such  strange  con- 
duct. How^ever,  on  looking  out  to  his  great  relief  he  saw 
Dr.  Gardner,  who  had  been  sent  to  Cuthbert  to  obtain  the 
help  of  Rev.  Homer  Hendee  and  who  was  with  him  upon 
the  platform  with  his  handbag  in  hand.  In  a  moment  he 
took  in  the  situation  and  saw  the  reason  why  he  was  call- 
ed away  from  Fort  Gaines  and  also  for  his  return,  as  there 
was  work  there  for  two  instead  of  one,  and  especially  as 
he  had  not  been  long  in  the  ministry.  The  congratula- 
tions, of  course,  were  mutual  and  encouraging. 

On  reaching  Fort  Gaines  quite  a  number  of  the  young 
people  were  at  the  train  to  see  whether  Mr.  Hendee  had 
come.  Imagine  their  astonishment  and  delight  in  also 
seeing  "Brother  Stacy."  The  news  was  soon  borne  through 
the  town  that  they  had  now  two  ministers  instead  of  none. 
At  the  evening  services  the  writer  remarked  to  the 
congregation  that  they  knew  how^  decided  he  was  in  his 
purpose  to  leave,  and  which  neither  they  nor  himself  could 
explain.  But  the  solution  was  now  easy,  as  the  Lord  had 
work  for  two  instead  of  one,  and  urged  them  to  accept  it 
as  a  direct  appeal  from  the  Lord  to  give  themselves  wholly 
to  the  work,  and  if  they  did  the  Lord  would  surely  bless 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     315 

them.  The  people  seemed  to  feel  the  force  of  the  appeal 
and  were  thereby  encouraged  to  lay  hold  of  the  promises 
as  all  seemed  to  see  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  the  matter. 
Brother  Hendee  remained  the  rest  of  the  week  and  then 
returned  to  his  school  at  Cuthbert.  In  the  mean  while 
the  meeting  at  Americus  having  closed  Rev.  Mr.  Marks 
went  down  to  Fort  Gaines  and  remained  with  the 
writer,  assisting  till  th6  close  of  the  meeting  on  Wednesday 
night  of  the  following  week,  at  which  fourteen  more  were 
added  to  the  church,  making  twenty  two  in  all.  Among 
these  were  not  only  his  young  friends  who  had  attended 
Presbytery  at  Americus,  but  others  of  experience  and  in- 
fluence in  the  community.  The  membership  of  the  little 
church  was  doubled  and  so  strengthened  as  to  employ  the 
services  and  support  the  Rev.  Gaylord  S.  More  a  refugee 
from  New  Orleans,  as  their  pastor  till  the  close  of  the 
war.  There  were  many  other  converts  who  joined  the 
'Methodist  and  Baptist  Churches.  Considering  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, the  unexpected  visit  of  the  Brother,  his  re- 
turn after  60  miles  on  his  journey  homeward,  the  manner 
of  the  additional  help,  and  the  number  of  converts  and  ad- 
ditions to  the  church,  it  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  revivals  that  has  ever  occurred  in  that 
church  and  that  part  of  the  county. 

FLINT  RIVER  PRESBYTERY. 
One  of  the  most  celebrated  and  interesting  meetings 
of  the  Old  Flint  River  Presbytery  was  the  one  held  at 
White  Sulphur  Springs,  Meriwether  County,  April  2-6,  1856. 
At  that  time  White  Sulphur  Springs  was  a  place  of  sum- 
mer resort,  and  was  then  owned  and  run  by  the  Rev.  R. 
T.  Marks,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery.  Brother  Marks  had 
been  a  business  man  at  Columbus,  Ga.,  and  entered  the  min- 
istry after  several  years  of  business  life  under  the  clause 
"extraordinary."  He  became  a  very  useful  and  successful 
minister  depending,  however,  upon  his  own  efforts 
for  support,  rather  than  the  feeble  churches  that  he  sup- 
pled. Being  trained  in  matters  of  business,  he  was  of  great 
advantage  to  the  Presbytery,  being  the  treasurer  for  a 
number  of  years.     He  assisted,  too,  very  much  in  the  con- 


316     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

duct  of  business.  While  the  Presbytery  might  be  discuss- 
ing some  question  upon  which  they  could  not  agree  Brother 
Marks  might  be  seen  preparing  a  paper  which  he  would 
offer  at  a  suitable  time  and  which  the  Presbytery  would 
unanimously  receive  as  the  settlement  of  the  matter. 

In  the  Fall  of  1855  the  Presbytery  met  at  Newnan. 
When  the  question  came  up  as  to  the  place  for  the  next 
meeting  among  the  places  nominated  was  White  Sulphur 
Springs  by  Rev.  R.  T.  Marks.  Two  objections  were 
raised:  One  was  that  we  had  no  church  there;  the  other 
was  it  would  be  an  imposition  upon  the  brother  to  enter- 
tain such  a  body  and  also  their  horses,  as  there  was  no 
railroad  or  public  conveyance  any  where  near.  To  the 
first,  he  replied  the  fact  that  there  was  no  or- 
ganization there  was  the  very  reason  why  the  Presbytery 
should  go  there  wuth  the  hope  of  planting  one.  To  the  sec- 
ond, he  said  that  it  would  be  no  imposition,  as  he  had  made 
a  fine  crop  and  had  an  abundance  of  provisions  for  all  the 
Presbytery  and  their  horses;  that  the  guests  would  not  be 
coming  in  until  May  and  therefore  an  abundance  of  room 
for  all;  that  it  would  be  a  most  pleasurable  occasion  to  the 
Presbytery  to  have  them  all  under  the  same  roof  and  sit  at 
the  same  table;  that  it  would  be  equally  so  a  pleasure  to 
himself  and  family  to  entertain  the  Presbytery,  and  fur- 
thermore, that  so  far  as  expense  was  concerned  the  Lord 
could  easily  pay  it  back  to  him  and  more  with  one  good 
shower  of  rain  upon  his  fields.  The  arguments  of  the 
Brother  prevailed  and  Presbytery  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  met  there  the  following  Spring.  The  Rev.  S.  H.  Hig- 
gins,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Columbus  Church,  was  chosen 
Moderator.  There  were  present  13  Ministers  and  9  Ruling 
Elders,  and  above  all  the  Holy  Spirit  was  present  in  the 
preaching.  The  Communion  was  administered  on  the 
Sabbath.  After  the  adjournment  two  or  three  of  the  Breth- 
ren remained  and  held  services  for  several  days,  which 
resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  little  c'hurch  consisting  of 
of  14  members  with  two  Ruling  Elders,  which  church  was 
reported  by  Rev.  R.  T.  Marks,  and  received  under  the  care 
of  Presbytery  at  its  next  meeting  at  Ephesus,  p.  264.     The 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN   GEORGIA     317 

Church  continued  on  the  roll,  being  supplied  by  Mr.  Marks 
and  different  ministers,  a  little  chapel  being  erected  for 
the  purpose,  till  the  removal  of  Mr.  Marks  and  family, 
wlien  the  Spring  property  fell  into  other  hands.  In  the 
mean  while,  the  war  coming  on,  the  members  became 
scattered  and  the  church  building,  which  had  be-en  erected 
by  the  family  and  being  part  of  the  estate,  was  sold  with 
the  rest.  The  church  was  formally  dissolved  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Atlanta  or  rather  dropped  from  the  roll  in  Octo- 
ber, 1888.     The  following  is  the  action  of  the  Presbytery. 

"White  Sulphur  church  having  become  extinct  the 
name  was  dropped  from  the  roll  and  the  Stated  Clerk  in- 
structed to  grant  a  certificate  of  dismission  to  Dr.  D.  A.  Gil- 
lespie, the  only  remaining  member  and  Elder,  to  join  the 
Greenville  Church." 

Thus  the  little  church,  after  an  existence  of  32  years, 
became  extinct. 

We  will  only  add  that  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery 
at  which  it  was  organized  was  voted  by  all  the  memhers 
as  one  of  the  most  pleasant  ever  held.  The  following  was 
the  action  of  the  Presbytery  at  the  close  of  its  business 
meeting  and  expressive  of  the  feeling  of  its  members: 

"Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  'body  be,  and  hereby 
are,  tendered  to  the  Rev.  R.  T.  Marks  and  his  family  for 
their  most  liberal  and  generous  heartfelt  hospitality  to- 
wards the  members  of  this  body  during  its  present  ses- 
sions, and  that  we  take  pleasure  in  here  recording  the 
fact  that  owing  to  the  peculiar  facilities  that  have  been 
afforded  us  for  business  meetings  and  for  social  inter- 
course, we  regard  the  present  meeting  as  the  most  pleas- 
ant and  fraternal  in  the  history  of  this  body." 

REV.  REMEMBRANCE  CHAMBERLAIN. 

In  1850  the  Synod  of  Georgia  held  its  annual  sessions 
in  the  city  of  Augusta.  At  that  meeting  it  fell  to  the  lot 
of  our  Synod  to  elect  a  Professor  for  the  Seminary  at  Co- 
lumbia. Three  candidates  were  nominated,  viz..  Dr.  Alex- 
ander McGill,  of  Alleghany,  Penn.,  Dr.  Thomas  Smythe  of 
Charleston,  S.  C,  though  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  Dr.  Dan- 
iel McNiel  Turner,  of  Abbeville,  S.  C.     While  the  Synod 


318     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

was  discussing  tlie  merits  and  demerits  of  the  different 
candidates,  none  of  tliem  being  present,  considerable  feel- 
ing was  excited,  it  being  a  time  when  there  was  much 
abolition  and  sectional  excitement  and  bitterness  in  the 
public  mind.  I  began  to  fear  that  bitter  and  unkind  feel- 
ings would  be  stirred  up  in  the  Synod,  when  Rev.  Remem- 
brance Chamberlain,  a  Vermonter,  but  a  large  slave  hold- 
er and  who  had  hitherto  maintained  silence,  arose  to  his 
full  six  feet  of  corpulent  stature,  and  rubbing  both  hands 
over  the  front  of  his  protuberant  body,  said  in  nasal  tones: 
"Mr.  Moderator,  a  good  deal  has  been  said  in  regard  to 
where  the  respective  candidates  were  born.  Some  object 
to  Dr.  McGill  because  he  was  born  at  the  North,  and  some 
object  to  Dr.  Smythe  because  he  was  born  in  old  Ireland, 
and  some  are  in  favor  of  Dr.  McNeil  Turner  because  he 
was  born  in  South  Carolina.  Now,  Mr.  Moderator,  I  do 
not  think  that  any  of  these  good  brethren  were  born  in  a 
worse  place  than  the  place  in  which  we  were  all  born, 
which  was  in  "a  state  of  sin  and  misery,"  and  down  he 
sat  amidst  loud  guffaws  of  the  reverend  Synod  of  Georgia. 
'His  wit  and  waggery  had  restored  the  Synod  to  good 
humor  and  soon  after  the  vote  was  cast,  and  by  a  decided 
majority  the  man  born  in  the  North  was  elected. 

Although  somewhat  out  of  our  pathway,  it  may  be  in- 
teresting to  the  reader  to  know  what  happened  at  the 
other  end  of  the  line.  When  the  question  came  up  before 
the  Synod  of  South  Carolina  for  confirmation,  it  was  met 
with  equal  and  even  greater  opposition  than  in  the  Synod 
of  Georgia.  That  opposition  was  led  by  Rev.  Julius  J.  Du- 
Bose,  one  of  the  younger  members  of  the  Synod.  The 
meeting  was  held  in  Columbia.  Being  a  student  in  the 
Seminary  at  that  time,  and  interested  in  knowng  who  his 
teacher  would  be,  the  writer,  in  common  with  his  fellow 
students  attended  the  discussions.  In  the  course  of  the  de- 
bate the  fact  was  emphasized  by  Mr.  DuBose,  as  well  as 
others,  that  both  the  other  Professors,  viz.,  Drs.  Howe  and 
LeLand  were  northern  men,  and  whilst  saying  nothing 
against  them  or  accusing  them  of  sympathy  with  the 
abolition  sentiment,  for  both  were  Slaveholders,  he  advo- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     319 

cated  the  principle  that  the  remaining  chair  should  be 
filled  by  some  one  entirely  Southern  in  birth,  as  well  as 
sentiment.  Knowing  the  skill  and  quickness  of  Dr.  Le- 
land  at  repartee,  we  watched  him  as  he  sat  off  to  himself 
in  the  corner  of  the  room  listening  to  the  speeches,  grit- 
ting his  teeth  as  his  custom  w^as  and  we  knew  full  well 
that  something  sharp  w^as  coming,  so  after  Mr.  DuBose  had 
finished  his  speech  and  sat  down,  Dr.  Leland,  a  man  vene- 
able  in  appearance  and  years,  arose  and  said,  "Moderator, 
our  young  Brother  has  said  a  good  deal  about  northern 
and  southern  people.  I  would  ask  him  to  tell  me  what 
constitutes  a  southern  man?  How  long  a  man  must  live 
at  the  south  to  be  a  good  southern  man?  I  would  remind 
the  young  brother,  that  I  have  been  at  the  South  longer 
than  he,  and  furthermore.  Moderator,  I  came  because  I 
chose  to,  but  he  could  not  help  himself."  Then  the  old 
gentleman  sat  down  amid  the  laughter  as  well  as  con- 
cealed blushes  of  the  mothers  in  Israel,  many  of  whom 
were  present.  This  simple  statement  covered  the  whole 
field  of  argument,  and  doubtless  settled  the  question,  for 
the  vote  was  soon  taken  confirming  the  choice  of  the  Syn- 
od of  Georgia. 

REV.  WM.  McWHIR,  D   D. 

Mr.  McWhir  stands  as  a  noted  landmark  in  the  early 
history  of  education  in  Georgia.  He  was  born  in  Ireland, 
graduated  and  ordained,  and  came  over  to  America  in 
1783  and  first  taught  school  at  Alexandria,  Va.,  and  for 
ten  years  was  acquainted  with  President  Washington 
who  was  one  of  the  Trustees  in  his  school,  and  was  fre- 
quently a  guest  at  his  home;  came  to  Liberty  county,  Ga  , 
in  1793  and  opened  a  school  at  Sunbury,  which  soon  had 
an  established  reputation  throughout  the  land,  drawing 
pupils  from  all  parts  of  the  state  and  which  continued  for 
nearly  30  years.  He  deserves  to  be  placed  in  the  first 
ranks  with  the  educators  of  the  country. 

In  addition  to  teaching  he  was  also  a  useful  minister, 
having  appointments  at  Sunbury,  Mcintosh,  and  also  at 
Darien,  but  later  in  life  visiting  Florida  where  he  organ- 
ized a  church  at  Mandarin.     Still  later  in  life,  when  90 


320     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

years  old  and  upwards  he  engaged  in  the  colporteur  work, 
distributing  Bibles  and  tracts  to  his  neighbors  and  friends. 
I  well  remember  when  a  boy  seeing  his  familiar  face,  and 
hearing  him  speak.    He  died  in  1852. 

But  what  I  desire  more  especially  just  now  to  do  is  to 
mention  a  rather  singular  and  unusual  thing  that  is  said 
to  have  happened  in  his  religious  life. 

CONVERTED  UNDER  HIS  OWN  PREACHING. 

Though  a  Presbyterian  minister  in  good  and  regular 
standing,  he  secretly  held  at  first  to  Unitarian  views,  hav- 
ing doubts  as  to  the  divinity  of  Christ.  It  is  said  of  him, 
that  one  day  while  preaching  he  made  a  statement  which 
brought  up  the  suggestion,  and  this  thought  was  awakened 
and  passed  through  his  mind.  "If  this  be  true,  then  I  am  a 
lost  man,"  and  this  conviction  by  the  truth  from  his  own 
lips;  resulted  in  his  conversion  and  a  complete  change  in 
his  views  and  life.  It  is  not  often  we  hear  of  a  man  being 
converted  under  his  own  preaching,  and  yet  why  not?  It 
is  not  the  speaker,  but  the  truth  that  saves.  This  circum- 
stance was  related  to  me  by  the  son  of  one  of  the  Col- 
league pastors  of  the  Midway  Churcti,  and  who  was  well 
acquainted  with  the  history  and  life  of  Dr.  McWhir. 
REV.  THOMAS  GOULDING,  D.  D. 

The  life  of  Dr.  Goulding  is  fully  given  in  the  mem- 
orials which  have  been  published  of  him.  It  is  known  that 
he  was  the  first  native-born  Presbyterian  minister  of  our 
Branch  ordained  in  the  State,  Also  that  he  was  the  first 
Professor  in  the  Columbia  Seminary,  when  it  was  estab- 
lished in  his  own  house  in  Lexington,  and  where  he  taught 
some  pupils  before  its  removal  to  Columbia.  The  only 
thing  I  desire  to  add  to  what  has  been  already  written  con- 
cerning him,  is  the  unusual  circumstances  in  his  religious 
life,  viz:  the  fact  of  his  conversion  durng  his  sleep,  as 
stated  by  himself.  Said  he,  "If  ever  converted,  it  was 
when  asleep,"  for  he  went  to  bed  under  a  great  distress 
and  upon  awaking  in  the  morning  the  burden  was  gone. 
Why  may  not  our  prayers  and  the  prayers  of  others  be 
heard  and  answered  when  w^e  are  asleep  as  well  as  when 
awake?     The  Holy  Spirit  does  the  w^ork  without  any  as- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     321 

sistance  on  our  part,  and  why  not  convert  the  man  in  the 
night,  as  well  as  in  the  day? 

REV.  S.  K.  TALMAGE,  D.  D. 

I  desire  here  to  make  record  of  a  little  incident  which 
occurred  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Talmage,  illustrative  of  his 
power  in  the  pulpit.  It  occurred  during  his  presidency  of 
Oglethorpe  and  when  preaching  to  the  inmates  of  the 
Asylum  near  by.  I  take  it  from  Rev.  Groves  H.  Cartledge, 
who  got  it  from  Dr.  T.  O.  Powell,  the  superintendent  of 
the  same. 

"One  afternoon  Dr.  Talmage  was  preaching  to  the 
Lunatics  on  the  pardon  of  the  sinner.  To  illustrate  some 
point  he  brought  in  the  case  of  a  murderer  who  had  been 
condemned  to  be  hung,  but  some  of  his  friends  sent  a  pe- 
tition to  the  Governor  begging  for  a  pardon.  The  day  of 
execution  arrived  and  no  pardon  had  come  for  the  doomed 
man.  At  the  fixed  hour  the  Sheriff  took  the  criminal  from 
the  jail,  seated  him  on  his  coffin  and  drove  him  to  the  gal- 
lows. He  made  him  ascend  the  scaffold,  tied  his  feet  to- 
gether, fastened  the  black  cap  over  his  face,  bid  him  good 
bye,  and,  descending  from  the  scaffold,  raised  his  hand 
to  strike  the  trigger  which  would  launch  the  doomed  man 
into  eternity,  when,  upon  hearing  a  noise  in  the  distance 
he  turned  his  eyes,  and  saw  a  horseman  coming  at  full 
speed,  and  holding  something  like  a  paper  in  his  hand, 
and  crying  out  "Pardon,  pardon,  do  not  hang  that  man,  I 
have  a  pardon  for  him."  The  Doctor,  then  leaving  the 
the  Sheriff  with  his  hand  still  raised  to  strike  the  trigger, 
began  to  picture  out  the  horseman  and  his  horse,  the  rider 
spurring  with  all  his  might,  and  leaning  forward  in  his 
eagerness  to  get  the  pardon  to  the  poor  culprit,  the  horse 
stretching  every  nerve  and  tendon  of  his  body,  with  nos- 
trils distended  and  sides  panting,  etc,  etc.  To  one  little 
man,  at  least,  the  pictured  scene,  became  a  living  reality, 
and  at  length,  in  hi-/:  impatience  at  the  Doctor's  tardiness, 
that  little  man  at  one  bound  sprang  up,  with  his  feet  upon 
his  seat,  and  cried  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  "O!  Dr.  Tal- 
mage do  be  in  a  hurry  or  that  poor  man  will  be  hung  be- 
fore you  get  his  pardon  to  him."    It  is  scarcely  necessary 


322     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

to  add  that  the  whole  audience  became  greatly  excited, 
and  the  services  terminated  abruptly  and  without  prayer, 
singing  or  the  benediction." 

SHOWING  GOD  THE  ANSWERER  OF  PRAYER. 
During  the  war  services  in  the  churches  were  very- 
much  interfered  with,  especially  towards  its  close,  when 
ihe  enemy  was  in  their  midst,  and  a  large  portion  of  the 
country  overrun  by  them.  In  some  places  churches  were 
closed,  in  others  church  buildings  were  used  as  hospitals, 
and  in  some  instances,  the  bells  were  surrendered  for 
making  cannon.  The  pastor  of  the  Newnan  Church, 
though  in  full  sympathy  with  the  South  in  her  struggles, 
was  not  in  hearty  accord  with  the  idea  of  closing  the 
churches.  He  was  always  at  the  Soldier's  prayermeeting 
unless  off  as  missionary  preaching  to  the  soldiers.  He 
was  not  in  acocrd  with  the  idea  of  taking  the  churches  con- 
secrated to  the  services  of  God  to  be  used  as  hospitals,  but 
maintained  that  the  residences  and  other  buildings  should 
be  so  used.  And  furthermore  to  show  his  true  interest  in 
the  struggle  was  always  at  the  Soldiers  prayermeeting, 
which  was  kept  up  during  the  entire  war.  And  now  for 
the  sequel:  Twice  was  the  town  spared,  as  we  confident- 
ly believe,  in  answer  to  those  prayers.  Twice  the  enemy 
passed  through,  with  evil  intent  but  with  hands  tied  in 
both  instances. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July,  1864,  two  raids  were  pro- 
jected by  the  Federals,  one  under  Gen.  Kilpatrick,  the 
other  under  Gen.  Stoneman.  The  one  to  go  down  the 
eastern  side,  the  other  on  the  western  side  of  the  Central 
Road  and  to  form  a  union  below  Macon.  The  one  under 
Gen.  Kilpatrick  on  going  down  burned  the  depot  at  Pal- 
metto, also  tearing  up  the  track,  but  below  Jonesboro,  en- 
countered Gen.  Wheeler,  who  drove  him  back.  In  his  re- 
treat he  sought  to  pass  through  Newnan  that  he  might 
cross  the  Chattahoochee,  which  was  then  the  line.  On 
the  evening  before,  Gen.  Roddy  had  started  from  West 
Point,  for  Atlanta,  with  a  regiment  of  soldiers.  On  reach- 
ing Newnan  he  was  informed  by  Col.  Griffin,  the  Com- 
mandant of  the  post,  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  pass 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     323 

Palmetto  on  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  railroad  at 
that  place,  by  Kilpatrick,  and  moreover,  on  account  of  the 
excitement  of  the  citizens,  he  would  be  glad  for  him  to  re- 
main at  Newnan  during  the  night,  as  he  would  have  better 
accommodation  for  his  men.  This  he  consented  to  do. 
On  the  next  morning,  after  the  "whistle  had  sounded,  and 
Gen.  Roddy  and  his  men  were  getting  on  the  train  to 
leave,  the  advance  guard  of  Kilpatrick's  men  came  down 
the  hill  and  commenced  firing  upon  them.  Gen.  Roddy 
threw  his  men  in  battle  line  and  soon  drove  them  back. 
After  retreating  they  made  a  detour  around  the  town 
with  the  hope  of  reaching  the  river  before  Wheeler  and 
his  men  should  come  up.  But  before  doing  that  they  again 
encountered  Wheeler's  men,  who  discomfitted  them,  scat- 
tering them  in  the  woods  and  taking  several  hundred  of 
them  prisoners.  There  was  a  man  in  the  neighborhood 
named  Bostrom,  and  who  had  a  lot  of  bloodhounds,  and 
who  assisted  in  the  chase  with  his  hounds,  which  greatly 
exsperated  the  Federals,  many  of  whom  were  thus  made 
prisoners,  insomuch  that  they  said  that  if  they  ever  should 
have  the  opportunity  they  would  wreak  their  vengeance 
upon  the  citizens  and  the  place. 

Just  before  the  close  of  the  war,  and  but  a  few  days 
before  the  armistice  was  declared,  another  raid  was  plan- 
ned and  started  from  the  upper  part  of  Alabama  under 
Col.  Brownlow,  who  was  a  soldier  under  Kilpatrick  of  the 
first  raid,  who  made  Newnan  the  objective  point,  with  the 
intention  of  destroying  the  place  on  account  of  indignities 
they  had  received.  After  reaching  Georgia,  they  com- 
menced burning  towns  on  the  way  till  they  reached  Car- 
rollton,  which  they  burned  to  show  what  they  intended  to 
do  with  Newnan,  as  they  said  on  starting  for  the  said 
doomed  city.  But  fortunately  for  the  place  the  armistice 
was  proclaimed  which  put  an  end  to  the  war.  Citizens  of 
the  place  were  sent  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  notify  them 
that  the  armistice  had  been  proclaimed.  On  learning 
this  the  raid  passed  through  without  doing  any  damage. 
On  entering  the  place,  however,  they  enquired  of  several 
citizens   what  had  become  of  Bostrom  and  his  dogs.     Be- 


324       THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

fore  reaching  the  place  they  repeated  their  threats,  and 
all  through  the  country  they  expressed  their  regrets  that 
the  armistice  had  not  met  them  after  than  before  reaching 
Newnan,  as  they  intended  not  to  leave  one  stone  standing 
upon  another  for  the  indignity  of  chasing  them  with  dogs, 
and  for  the  insults  of  the  women,  who  had  done  every 
thing  by  way  of  indignity  to  them  when  prisoners,  "ex- 
cept spit  in  their  faces." 

Considering  the  kind  protection  over  us  when  so  near 
the  enemies  lines  and  so  exposed,  it  being  only  nine  miles 
to  the  Chattahoochee,  the  line,  and  the  two  marked  divine 
interferences  in  the  two  cases  mentioned,  we  can  but  feel 
and  ever  will  believe  it  was  a  special  act  of  protection  and 
deliverance  and  in  answer  to  prayer,  which  was  regularly 
kept  up  by  a  faithful  few  during  the  entire  period  of  the 
war. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


FINAL  OUTLOOK. 

WHY  NO  GREATER  PROGRESS. 

(Written  1907.) 

It  has  now  been  one  hundred  and  eleven  years  since 
the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  was  set  up,  and  sixty  two  since 
the  organization  of  the  Synod  of  Georgia.  When  organized 
there  were  on  its  roll  sixty-four  ministers,  one  hundred 
and  thirty-four  Churches,  and  five  thousand  ?nd  fifty-seven 
n.embers.  The  present  number  is  one  hundred  and  sev- 
enteen ministers,  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  churches, 
and  nineteen  thousand  and  two  hundred  and  forty  three 
members.  Thus  it  will  appear  that  the  annual  rate  of  in- 
crease has  been  very  small,  being  only  a  little  more  than 
one  minister,  two  churches,  and  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
three  members  per  year.  How  account  for  this  small 
growth?  Although  the  Presbyterians  were  among  the 
first  to  enter  the  field,  bringing  with  them  all  the  pres- 
tige of  their  past  history  and  with  all  the  educational 
centres  in  their  hand,  yet  they  have  suffered  the  other 
Denominations  to  come  in  and  far  out  strip  them.  While 
the  Meihodists  and  Baptists  have  their  churches  planted, 
like  so  many  beacon  lights  in  every  village  and  hamlet, 
there  are  still  forty  of  the  counties  of  the  state  in  which 
no  Presbyterian  church  is  to  be  seen.  Of  these  three  are 
in  the  Presbytery  of  Atlanta,  nine  in  the  Presbytery  of 
Augusta,  ten  in  Cnerokee,  eleven  In  Macon,  six  in  Savan- 
nah. To  Athens  Presbytery  alone  belongs  the  honor  of 
nah,  and  one  in  Athens.  Here  then,  is  a  church 
one  hundred  and  eleven  years  old,  a  church  stained 
with  the  blood  of  martyrs,  and  rich  in  historic  memories 
and  associations,  and  still  without  a  witness  in  about  one 
fourth  of  the  counties  of  the  state. 

The  fault  surely  cannot  be  with  our  Theology  or 
Church  Polity,  for  these  have  stood  the  test  of  ages;  nor 
the  fact  that  some  of  its  doctrinal  statements  are  regarded 


326     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

as  hard,  for  they  are  held  in  common  with  a  large  portion 
of  the  Christian  world;  nor  yet  is  the  idle  conceit  to  be  in- 
dulged for  a  single  moment  that,  while  the  numerical 
strength  may  be  less,  the  excellency  of  the  material  used 
and  superiority  of  the  work  done,  will  more  than  compen- 
sate for  the  deficiency  in  that  direction.  It  is  obviously 
out  of  place  to  talk  of  quality  versus  quantity,  of  Leonidas 
with  his  little  band,  or  repeat  the  Scripture  quotation  of 
"one  chasing  a  thousand,  and  two  putting  ten  thousand 
to  flight,"  so  long  as  the  roll  of  the  churches  are  burdened 
with  so  many  nominal  and  indifferent  members. 

We  think  we  can  point  out  some  few  things,  at  least, 
that  constitute  a  far  more  satisfactory  solution  of  the 
problem. 

And  first,  we  suggest  that  much  of  the  ill  success  is 
attributable  to  the  imperfect  manner  in  which  Presby- 
teries discharge  their  duty.  The  whole  trouble  may  be 
summed  up  in  one  single  sentence,  viz:  The  want  on 
their  part  of  proper  Episcopal  authority  and  jurisdiction. 
In  theory  the  Presbytery  is  a  Bishop,  with  all  power  and 
authority,  to  manage  and  conrtol,  but  in  practice  it  is  but 
the  indulgent  parent  Eli-like,  wholly  unable  to  control  his 
household.  "My  sons  why  do  you  do  such  things?"  being 
the  extent  of  the  jurisdiction. 

No  one  can  read  the  minutes  of  the  Assembly  with- 
out being  struck  with  the  number  of  unsettled,  umemploy- 
ed  ministers  and  vacant  churches.  There  are  fifty  of 
these  in  the  Synod  of  Georgia  alone.  We  have  seen  at 
times  as  many  as  one  half  of  the  churches  of  a  Presbytery 
reported  as  "vacant."  What  a  draft  upon  the  resources 
and  working  force  of  a  Presbytery.  What  farmer  would 
remain  long  out  of  the  Sheriff's  hands  who  allowed  so 
many  of  his  laborers  to  remain  idle,  and  so  many  of  his 
fields  to  lie  neglected?  Or  what  merchant  could  keep 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  receiver  who  has  his  business  no 
better  in  hand? 

With  all  due  allowance  for  every  honest  effort  to  over- 
take the  destitutions  (and  we  know  something  of  the  diffi- 
culties), yet  we  cannot  see  how  Presbyteries  can  hope  to 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     327 

escape   similar   disaster   when   we   consider   some  of  their 
business  methods. 

First,  their  treatment  of  newly  organized  churches. 
The  sight  is  a  very  common  one,  and  none  the  less  sad  on 
that  account,  to  see  the  Presbyteries  organize  a  church 
and  then,  seemingly  oblivious  to  any  further  responsibility 
in  the  matter,  leave  it  to  shift  for  itself.  Hundreds  if  not 
thousands  of  little  churches  have  thus  been  organized  and 
left  to  themselves  only  to  linger,  droop  and  die.  Let  the 
farmer  plant  his  crop  and  then  abandon  it,  or  the  h€n 
hatch  her  brood  and  then  forsake  them,  and  it  would 
hardly  require  the  wisdom  of  a  prophet  to  forse-e  the  re- 
sult. 

We  lay  down  this  broad  proposition  that  organization 
carries  with  it  the  idea  of  responsibility.  No  Presbytery 
has  the  right  to  organize  a  church  unless  it  intends  to  take 
care  of  and  nourish  it  until  able  to  take  care  of  itself. 
Nourishing  is  an  important  part  of  motherhood,  and  one 
of  the  main  objects  for  which  the  Presbytery  was  constitu- 
t-ed.  The  helpless  infant  needs  no  more  the  mothers  care 
than  the  feelble  church  the  fostering  care  of  the  Presby- 
tery. The  strong  church  can  take  care  of  itself.  If  the 
neglectful  parent  can  become  chargeable  with  the  sin  of 
infanticide,  why  may  not  the  charge  of  Ecclesiasticide 
equally  lie  against  the  Presbytery  that  neglects  its  off- 
spring and  leaves  it  to  die? 

The  same  principles  apply  to  licensure  and  ordination. 
No  Presbytery  has  the  right  to  license  and  ordain  a  man 
without  giving  him  a  field.  To  lay  hold  of  a  man  and 
claim  his  time  and  labor,  is  but  requiring  brick  without 
straw.  And  yet  how  often  do  we  see  men  Icensed,  and 
even  ordained  and  then  turned  loose  to  manage  their  own 
affairs.  We  may  well  ask  where  is  Episcopal  authority  in 
all  this? 

The  theory  is  for  the  church  to  select  its  own  pastor. 
This  is  Presbyterianism  as  far  as  it  goes,  being  only  half 
of  it  however.  The  other  half  is  Presbyterial  care  and 
oversight.  The  elective  principle,  allowing  the  church  to 
choose  its  pastor  does  not  destroy  Episcopal  authority  for 


328     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

a  moment.  Until  the  pastor  receives  tlie  call  and  the 
church  is  able  to  take  care  of  itself,  it  is  the  solemn  duty 
of  the  Presbytery  to  take  the  matter  in  hand,  and  furnish 
a  field  to  the  minister  and  a  supply  to  the  church.  In  this 
our  Methodist  Brethren  furnish  us  a  good  example,  and 
give  one  of  the  reasons  for  their  success.  They  give  em- 
ployment to  every  minister,  and  a  laborer  to  every  field. 
Their  churches  are  never  allowed  to  remain  vacant,  or 
their  laborers  idle.  If  they  have  a  single  vacant  church  in 
the  state  we  are  not  aware  of  it.  If  Presbyterians  would 
adopt  this  rule,  there  would  be  a  wonderful  improvement 
in  the  rate  of  their  increase. 

Second.  A  second  ground  of  failure  lies  in  the  matter 
of  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation,  many  of  which 
are  hasty  and  uncalled  for.  Not  finding  the  field  as  pro- 
ductive as  he  had  hoped,  and  in  many  instances  unreason- 
ably expecting  fruit  without  any  previous  labor,  the  young 
minister,  especially,  becomes  restless  and  unable  to  wait 
till  the  regular  meeting,  succeeds  in  getting  a  called  meet- 
ing and  the  relation  dissolved  and  the  church  declared 
"vacant"'  which  means  stoppage  of  work,  loss  of  interest, 
waste  of  time,  with  general  demoralization,  leading  to  dis- 
integration and  decay.  No  moving  train  can  be  brought 
to  a  standstill  without  a  loss  of  time.  No  tree  can  be  re- 
moved out  of  its  bed  and  planted  elsewhere  withut  being 
retarded  in  its  growth.  The  waste  of  time  and  energy 
connected  with  the  breaking  up  of  pastoral  relations  in  the 
Presbyterian  church  is  simply  enormous.  Yea,  beyond  all 
computation.  No  wonder  the  progress  of  the  church  has 
been  so  slow  when  the  interruptions  have  been  so  numer- 
ous. The  wonder  rather  is  that  there  has  been  any  prog- 
ress at  all.  Here,  again,  the  Methodist  brethren  have  the 
advantage  of  us,  inasmuch  as  they  make  their  transfers 
all  at  once. 

But  the  matter  assumes  a  still  more  serious  aspect, 
when  we  remember  the  little  part  taken  in  these  transfers, 
either  by  the  Presbytery  or  the  church.  The  practice  has 
become  so  common  of  late  of  not  regarding  the  wishes  of 
the  church,  and  to  take  action  before  consulting  the  Pres- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     329 

bytery,  that  it  may  be  regarded  well  nigh  the  settled  pol- 
icy of  the  church  that  the  whole  matter  of  removal  is  with 
the  minister.  If  the  minister  only  feels  it  to  be  his  duty 
to  go,  the  feeling  of  the  church,  no  matter  how  strong 
over,  goes  for  naught.  Strange  that  the  call  from  without 
should  be  regarded  as  the  voice  of  God,  but  no  voice  of 
God  in  the  louder  unanimous  home  call.  If  the  call  to  an- 
other field  is  to  be  interpreted  as  the  voice  of  God  calling 
him  away,  why  is  not  the  hearty  unanimous  wish  of  the 
home  church,  also  interpreted  as  the  voice  of  God  to  stay? 
Indeed,  the  churches  are*  beginning  to  feel  that  it  is  useless 
for  them  to  interpose  any  objections,  and  therefore  seldom 
ever  offer  any.  If  the  ministers  wish  is  to  be  the  rule 
then  wherein  consists  the  use  or  sense  of  consulting  either 
the  church  or  the  Presbytery?  Or  what  is  the  use  for  any 
Presbytery  at  all,  if  the  whole  thing  is  to  be  done  in  the 
pastor's  study?  My  Brethren  will  pardon  me  for  saying 
that  this  matter  of  establishing  and  dissolving  the  pastoral 
relation  in  the  Presbyterian  church  is  becoming  in  the 
minds  of  many,  nothing  but  a  solemn  farce.  For  it  all 
amouts  simply  to  this:  That  the  Presbytery  is  called  to- 
gether simply  to  endorse  what  the  pastor  has  not  only  de- 
termined to  do,  but  what  he  has  already  done.  If  this  be 
Presbyterianism,  it  is  high  time  that  some  of  the  older 
ministers  were  reviewing  their  studies  in  this  department 
at  least,  for  to  them,  instead  of  Presbyterianism,  it  seems 
to  be  but  a  disguised  species  of  independency. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


Th-e  following  statistics,  com,paring  all  the  ministers 
and    churches    ever    in   connection   with   the  (Synod   were 
chiefly  compiled  from  the  church  records.     As  the  eccles- 
iastical  year  covers   a  part   of  two   years,   from  April   to 
April,  for  the  Presytery  and  from  November  to  November 
for  the  Synod,  there  may  be  discovered,  in  some  instances 
some   slight   inaccuracies,   as   to   dates,     as   we     have  no 
means    of   dettermining  ^v^hether    the   event    recorded,    oc- 
curred in  the  latter  part  of  the  one  year,  or  the  former 
part  of  the  next.     iWe  have  spared  no  pains,  however  in 
endeavoring  to  make  the  list  as  accurate  and  complete  as 
possible.    The  star  (*)  after  a  name  means  "ordained." 
HOPEWEDL  IPRESBYTERY. 
Set  up  December,  1796. 
MINISTERS. 

John  Newton,  received  in  1797  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  died  1797. 

John  Springer,  received  in  1797  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery,  died  1798. 

Robert  Cunningham,  received  in  1797  from  South  Car- 
olina Presbytery;  'dismissed  in  1809  to  W.  Lexington 
Presbytery;  died  in  1839. 

Moses  Waddell,  received  in  1797  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1801  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1840. 

Wm.  Montgomery,  received  in  1797  from  South  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1813  to  Mississippi  Presby- 
tery; 'died  in  1848. 

The  above  were  the  original  ministers  of  the  Presby- 
tery. 

Thomas  Newton*,  received  in  1799;  dismissed  in  1822 
to  Alabama  Presbytery;  died  in  1845. 

Edward  Pharr*,  received  in  1801;  died  in  1845. 

John  Hodge*,  received  in  1805  Lie.  from  Cumberland 
Presbytery;   died  in  1819. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     331 

Francis  Cummins,  received  in  1805  from  South  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  died  in  1832. 

Jno.  R.  Thompson*,  received  in  1807  Lie.  from  New 
York  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1809  to  Harmony  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1846. 

John  Brown,  received  in  1813  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1836  'to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  died  in 
1842. 

N.  S.  S.  Beman,  received  in  1813  from  Cumberland 
Association;  dismissed  in  1821;  set  off  to  Georgia  Presby- 
tery. 

Henry  Reid,  received  in  1815  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1819  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery; received  in  1819  from  South  Carolina  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1829  to  South  Carolina  'Presbytery;  received 
in  1829  from  South  Carolina  Presbytery;  dismissed  to 
Tombeckbee  Presbytery  in  1837. 

Robert  Finley,  received  in  1817  from  New  Brunswick 
Presbytery;  died  in  1817. 

B.  Gildersleeve*,  received  in  1820;  dismissed  in  1827 
to  Charleston  Union  Presbytery;   died  in  1875. 

Thos.  Goulding,  received  in  1822  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1832  to  Harmony  Presbytery;  died  in 
1848. 

Orson  Douglass*,  received  in  1822  Lie.  from  New 
Brunswick  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1823  to  New  Castle 
Presbytery. 

Jesse  'Stratton,  received  in  1823  from  W.  District  As- 
sociation; dismissed  in  1832  to  South  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. 

R.  Chamberlain,  received  in  1824  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1841  to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  died 
in  1856. 

Jno.  S.  Wilson,  received  in  1824  from  South  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  dismissed  1833;  set  off  to  Flint  River 
Presbytery. 

A.  H.  Webster*,  received  in  1824;   died  in  1827. 

S.  Y.  Alexander,  received  in  1825  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery. 


332     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Henry  Safford,  received  in  1821  from  Royalton  Associ- 
ation; dismissed  in  1829  to  Buffalo  Presbytery;  received 
in  1831  from  Buffalo  Presbytery;   died  in  1870. 

A.  Church*,  received  in  1824;  'died  in  1862. 

George  Root*,  received  in  1825;  dismissed  in  1827  to 
Brookfield  Association. 

A.  Kirkpatrick,  received  in  1826  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1829  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery. 

Jos.  C.  Stiles*,  received  in  1826;  dismissed  in  1833  to 
Georgia  Presbytery;  died  in  1879. 

James  Gamble,  received  in  1827  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1840  to  Flint  River  Presbytery, 

S.  K.  Talmage,  received  in  1828  from  Newton  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1865. 

Nathan  Hoyt,  received  in  1828  from  Albany  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1866. 

John  Harrison*,  received  in  1828  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytry;   died  in  1847. 

J.  'G.  Patterson,  received  in  1828. 

S.  J.  Cassels*,  received  in  1829;  dismissed  in  1837  to 
Flint  River  Presbytery. 

W.  B.  Richards*,  received  in  1829;  dismissed  in  1833 
to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 

C.  P.  Beman,  received  in  1829;  died  in  1875. 

D.  M.  Winston*,  received  in  1829;  dismissed  in  1832 
to  Georgia  Presbytery. 

Henry  Reed,  received  in  1829  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1837  to  Tombeckbee  Presbytery. 

Robert  McAlpin,  received  in  1830  from  Union  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1837  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

John  Boggs,  received  in  1830  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1833  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

H.  C.  Carter,  received  in  1830;  dismissed  in  1840  to 
Etowah  Presbytery;  received  in  1842  from  Etowah  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1852  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

I.  W.  Waddell*,  received  in  1830,  Lie.  from  South  Car- 
olina Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1832  to  (South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  received  in  1842  to  from  South  Carolina  Pres- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     333 

bytery;   dismissed  in  1843  to  Good  iHope  Presbytery;   died 
in  1849. 

Thos.  F.  Scott*,  received  in  1830;  dismissed  in  1833  to 
Good  Hope  Presbytery. 

Wm.  Quillen,  received  in  1831  from  Holstein  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1842. 

Edwin  Holt,  received  In  1831  from  Elizabethtown  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  In  1833  to  Good  Hope  Presbytery. 

Arthur  A.  Mooney,  received  In  1831  from  South  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1835  to  Flint  River  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  K.  Patton*.  received  in  1832;  dismissed  in  1833; 
set  off  to  Good  Hope  Presbytery. 

John  Baker*,  received  in  1833,  Lie.  .rom  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; set  off  to  Good  Hope  Presbytery  1833. 

J.  W.  Reld,  received  in  1833;  died  In  1867. 

S.  S.  Davis,  received  in  1834  from  Harmony  Fresby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1843  to  Albany  Presbytery;  received  In 
1845  from  Albany  Presbytery;  dismissed  In  1846  to  Harm- 
ony Presbytery;  received  in  1853  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1877. 

C.  W.  Howard*,  received  in  1834;  dismissed  in  1840; 
joined  Etowah  Presbytery;   died  In  1876. 

T.  M.  Dwlght*,  received  in  1834;  dismissed  in  1840; 
joined  Etowah  Presbytery;   died  In  1849. 

P.  iC.  Shellman,  received  1834  from  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church;  disappeared  In  1840. 

Samuel  P.  Pressley,  received  in  1834  from  the  Associ- 
ate Reformed  church;  died  in  1840. 

Lawson  Clinton,  received  in  1834  from  the  Georgia 
Presbytery;   died  In  1838  or  1839. 

John  G.  Likens,  received  In  1835  from  Union  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1836  to  South  Alabama  Presbytery;  died 
In  1840. 

F.  R.  Goulding*,  received  In  1835;  dismissed  in  1853  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery;  received  in  1859  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery, dismissed  In  1867  to  Macon  Presbytery;  died  In 
1881. 


334     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

J.  H.  George*,  received  in  1836;  dismissed  in  1840; 
joined  Etowah  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Baker*,  received  in  1836  Lie.  from  New  Bruns- 
wick Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1854  to  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery. 

R.  H.  Hooker*,  received  in  1837;  died  in  1857. 

J.  B.  Cassells*,  received  in  1836  Lie.  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;   died  in  1838. 

F.  Bowman,  received  in  1837  from  West  Hanover 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1857  to   Georgia  Presbytery. 

John  Warnock,  received  in  1837  from  Flint  River  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1841  to  South  Alabama  Presbytery. 

A.  N.  Cunningham,  received  in  1838  from  South  Ala- 
bama Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1845;  withdrew  from  Pres- 
bytery. 

Jas.  W.  Freeman,  received  in  1838;  dismissed  in  1842 
to  Concord  Presbytery. 

Jos.  Templeton*,  received  in  1839;  dismissed  in  1842 
to  Muhlenburg  Presbytery. 

A.  M.  Edgerton,  received  in  1839  from  Harmony  Pres- 
bytery. 

G.  H.  W.  Petrie*,  received  in  1839  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1854  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

Philo  Phelps,  received  in  1840  from  Troy  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1840;   set  off  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Joshua  Phelps,  received  in  1840  from  Philadelphia 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1840;  set  off  to  Florida  Presbj'- 
tery. 

R.  M.  Baker*,  received  in  1840;  dismissed  in  1841  to 
Florida  Presbytery;  received  in  1847  from  Florida  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1853  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

N.  A.  Pratt,  received  in  1840  from  Georgia  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1842;  set  off  to  Cherokee  Presbytery;  died 
in  1879. 

A.  B.  McCorkle,  received  in  1842  from  W.  Lexington 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1842;  set  off  to  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery. 

I.  W.  Waddell,  received  in  1842. 

Jno.    C.    Baldwin,   received   in  1843    from   Flint  River 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     335 

Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1848  to  Tombeckbee  Presbytery. 

C.  S.  Dodd*,  received  in  1844;  dismissed  in  1847  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery. 

Homer  Hendee*,  received  in  1845;  dismissed  in  1853 
to  Florida  Presbytery;  received  in  1859  from  Florida 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1861  to  Flint  River  Presbytery; 
received  in  1867  from  Flint  River  Presbytery;  dismissed 
in  1871  to  Louisville  Presbytery. 

Henry  Newton*,  received  in  1847. 

W.  P.  Gready*,  received  in  1847  Lie.  from  New  Bruns- 
wick Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1857  to  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;    died  in  1882. 

E.  P.  Rogers,  received  in  1847  from  New  Hampshire 
Association;  dismissed  in  1854  to  Philadelphia  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  Baird,  received  in  1847  from  Georgia  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1853  to  Charleston  Presbytery;  died  in  1868. 

R.  C.  Ketchum,  received  in  1848  from  Charleston  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1867  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

W.  H.  Thompson*,  received  in  1849;  dismissed  in 
1853  to  Nashville  Presbytery. 

G.  H.  Cartledge*,  received  in  1849;   died  in  1899. 

J.  U.  Parsons,  received  in  1849  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1853  to  the  Barnstable  Association. 

C.  B.  King*,  received  in  1850;  dismissed  in  1850  to 
Flint  River  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1861  to  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery. 

J.  L.  Rogers,  received  in  1852  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1852  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

J.  R.  Bowman*,  received  in  1852;  dismissed  in  1854  to 
Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

D.  McN.  Turner,  received  in  1852  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1854  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Robert  Logan,  received  in  1853  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1854  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1856  from  South  Carolina  Presbytery;  dismissed 
in  1858  to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 

Wm.  G.  Williams,  received  in  1853  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1856  to  Tuscambia  Presbytery. 


336     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

R.  L.  Breck,  received  in  1854  from  W.  Lexington  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1858  to  New  Albany  Presbytery. 

R.  K.  Porters*,  received  in  1854;  dismissed  in  1867  to 
Atlanta  Presbytery;  died  in  1869. 

R.  W.  Milner*,  received  in  1854;  dismissed  in  1867  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery. 

I.  S.  K.  Axson,  received  in  1854  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1865  to  Georgia  Presbytery. 

Wm.  Flinn,  received  in  1855  from  Tuscaloosa  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1865  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

E.  D.  Eldridge,  received  in  1855  from  Hopkinson  Asso- 
ciation; dismissed  in  1859  to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 

R.  A.  Houston*,  received  in  1855;  dismissed  in  1856 
to  East  Alabama  Presbytery;  received  in  1858  from  East 
Alabama  Presbytery. 

John  Jones,  received  in  1856  from  Georgia  Presb:^- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1857  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

C.  W.  Lane*,  received  in  1857;  died  in  1896. 

L.  A.  Simonton*,  received  in  1857;  dismissed  in  1859 
to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  died  in  1859. 

J.  R.  Wilson,  received  in  1858  from  Lexington  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1872  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

G.  W.  Boggs,  received  in  1858  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1872  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

J.  C.  Humiphreys*,  received  in  1858  Lie.  from  Flint 
River  Presbytery;  died  in  1859. 

David  Wells,  received  in  1860  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Dunwody,  received  in  1860  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1874  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

James  Woodrow,  received  in  1860. 

J.  H.  Kaufman,  received  in  1862  from  Baltimore  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1864  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

F.  T.  Simpson,  received  in  1862. 

A.  W.  Pitzer,  received  in  1862  from  Highland  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1865  to  Montgomery  Presbytery. 

A.  D.  Montgomery,  received  in  1863  from  South  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;   dismissed  1868  to  Concord  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     337 

W.  H.  Adams*,  received  in  1863;  dismissed  in  ISG.'j  to 
East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

P.  C.  Morton*,  received  in  1866;  dismissed  in  1886  to 
South  Alabama  Presbytery. 

In  1867  the  Presbytery  of  Hopewell  ceased  to  exist, 
as  its  name  was  then  changed  and  afterwards  divided  by 
the  Synod  of  Georgia  into  the  Presbyteries  of  Athens  and 
Augusta. 

CHURCHES  OF  HOPEWELL  PRESBYTERY. 

Bethsalem — Now  Lexington,  organized  about  1787. 

Bethany — Organized  about  1788. 

Ebenezer — (Mt.  Zion),  organized  about  1788. 

Richmond,  organized  about  1788, 

Bethlehem,  organized  about  1789. 

Siloam — (Greensboro),   organized  about   1790. 

Goshen — "near  Greensboro,"  organized  about  1790. 

New  Hope — Madison  County.  Probably  the  third  old- 
est church  in  the  Synod  of  Georgia. 

Smyrna — Washington. 

Providence — Wilkes  County. 

Carmel. 

Joppa. 

Sharon. 

Shiloh. 

Liberty — Woodstock. 

Concord — Franklin  County. 

The  above  were  the  original  churches  at  the  organiza- 
tion in  1796. 

Hebron — Received  1797. 

Unity — At  confluence  of  Cedar  Creek  with  Oconee 
River. 

Bethsaida — Sandy  Creek,  Jackson  Co. 

Jefferson. 

Flat  Creek— 1802. 

St.  Paul's— Augusta,  enrolled  1806. 

Mendham — Jackson  County. 

Pisgah — Madison  County,  organized  by  John  Hodge, 
1810. 

Union — Oglethorpe  County,  first  mentioned  1810. 


338     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Pergamos — by  Dr.  Cummins,  received  1810. 

Currie's  Creek,  Thyatira,  Jackson  County,  first  men- 
tioned 1810. 

Thyatira — Morgan  County,  1810;  name  changed  to 
Bethel,  1821. 

Carmel — Organized  by  Rev.  Thos.  Newton,  1810. 

Center — Oglethorpe  County,  Presbytery  met  there    1818. 

Alcovia — Walton  County,  first  mentioned  1820. 

Goshen— (Walton  County?),  first  mentioned  1820. 

Eatonton,  first  mentioned  1820. 

Danielsville,  first  mentioned  1820. 

Mulberry — Jackson  County,  first  mentioned  1820. 

Madison,  first  mentioned  1820. 

Athens,  first  mentioned   1820. 

Clinton — Jones   County,  1820. 

Bethel — Lincoln   County,  first  mentioned  1823. 

Bethesda — Elbert  County,  first  mentioned  1824. 

First  Presbyterian  Church — Gwinnett  County,  Fair- 
view,  1824. 

Westminster — Decatur,  De  Kalb  County,  organized  by 
Dr.  Wilson,  1825. 

Harmony — "Near  Decatur,"  De  Kalb  County,  organized 
by  Dr.  Wilson,  1825. 

Philadelphia — Henry  County,  1825. 

Cherokee  Corner — Oglethorpe  County,  1825. 

Hillsboro — Jasper  County,  first  mentioned  1826. 

Jackson — Butts  County,  by  Chamberlain,  1826. 

Milledgeville,  by  Gildersleeve,  1826. 

Macon,  1826. 

Covington,  1827. 

Smyrna — ^Newton  County,  reported  by  Dr.  J.  S.  Wilson 
as  organized  December  1827. 

First  Presbyterian  Church — Hall  County. 

McDonough — Henry  County. 

Newnan,  by  Chamberlain,  1828. 

New  Lebanon — (Homer),  Franklin  County,  1828. 

South  Liberty,  1828. 

Zebulon — Pike  County,  1828. 

Forsyth — Monroe  County,  1828. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     339 

.Mt.  Olivet— Columbia  County,  1828,  extinct  in  1839. 

Hopewell — Crawford  County,  first  mentioned  1828. 

Bethel — Jasper  County,  1828. 

Greenville — Meriwether  County,  1829. 

Thomaston — Macon  County,  1829. 

LaGrange,  1829. 

Nazareth— Hall  County,  1829. 

Columbus,  1829. 

Ephesus,  1829. 

Hamilton,  1829. 

Monticello,  1829. 

Hickory  Grove^Hall  County,  1829. 

Lincolnton,  1829. 

Concord— Hall  County,  1829. 

Burke  County  Church,  received  1830.  Formerly  Con- 
gregational. 

Gainesville,  first  mentioned  1830,  stricken  from  roll 
1848. 

Fayetteville — Fayette  County,  first  mentioned  1830. 

Bethesda— Bibb    County,    by    Dr.    Patterson,    received 

1830. 

Providence — Heard  County,  by  Carter,  received  1831. 

Oak  Grove — Jasper  County,  first  mentioned  1832. 

Hopewell— Jasper  County,  by  Richards  1833,  stricken 
from  roll  1848,  dissolved  1855. 

Bethel — Columbia  County,  by  Moderwell  1833. 

Livingston — Floyd  County,  Dr.  Wilson,  1834. 

Cassville,  Dr.  Wilson,  1834. 

Salem— Wilkes   County,  reorganized  1834,  by   Cassels. 

Canton,  by  Quillin,  1835. 

Gumming — Forsyth    County,   1835. 

Enon— Walker  County,  1835. 

Louisville — Burke  County,  reported  1825,  reorganized 
1846,  committee  appointed  by  Augusta  Presbytery  1859  to 
organize  "if  expedient." 

Chattooga,  by  Quillin,  1836. 

Ebenezer— Clarke  County,  by  Dr.  Church  1837,  dis- 
solved 1859. 

Marietta,  1837,  first  mentioned. 


340     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Mars  Hill,  1839,  first  mentioned. 

Walnut  Grove,  1840,  first  mentioned. 

Sardis,  1840,  first  mentioned. 

African  Church — Augusta,  1840,  first  mentioned. 

Roswell,  received  1840. 

Turkey  Creek — Franklin  County,  by  Freeman  1840; 
name  changed  to  Carnesville  1859. 

Ebenezer — Walker  County,  first  mentioned  1841. 

Hickory  Flat — Cherokee  County,  first  mentioned  1841. 

Harmony,  received  from  Etowah  Presbytery  1842. 

(Salem,  organized  by  Carter,  1842, 

Crawfordville,  first  mentioned  1844,  dissolved  1845. 

Sparta,  first  mentioned  1844. 

Clarksville,  1844. 

Pleasant  Hill — Elbert  County,  1851. 

Green  St.,  Augusta,  1852,  dissolved  lb.j6. 

Waynesboro  and  Bath,  received  1853.  Oldest  church 
in  Synod  of  Georgia,  as  it  was  in  existence  in  1760. 

Irwinton,  by  Dr.  Talmage,  1854. 

Pleasant  Green — Jackson  County,  1856,  from  Thyatira. 

Appling — Columbia  County,  1858. 

Harmony — Hart  County,  1858. 

Goshen — Lincoln  County,  first  mentioned  1858. 

Colored  church — Macon,  1866. 

Elberton — Elbert  County,  first  mentioned  1867. 

Gainesville,  first  mentioned  1867. 


GEORGIA  PRESBYTERY. 

Set  up  1820,  Changed  to  Savannah  1867. 
MINISTERS. 

Wm.   McWhlr,  received   in  1815  from  Killilah  Presby- 
tery; died  1851. 

Murdock  Murphy,  received  in  1813,  dismissed  in  1826 
to  East  Alabama  Presbytery;   died  in  1833. 

N.  S.  S.  Beman,  received  in  1813;    dismissed  to  Troy 
Presbytery  in  1823. 

Thos.  Goulding;  died  in  1848. 

Wm.  Moderwell. 


mt*i: 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     341 

S.  S.  Davis;  dismissed  in  1828  to  Harmony  Presby- 
tery. 

R.  Chamberlain;  dismissed  in  1829  to  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1877. 

B.  Gildersleeve. 

Above  were  the  original  members. 

Joseph  Wood*,  received  in  1821  Lie.  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1823  to  Tennessee  Presbytery. 

Horace  S.  Pratt*,  received  in  1822  Lie.  New  Bruns- 
wick Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1839  to  Tuscaloosa  Presby- 
tery. 

G.  G.  Mc^Miorter,  received  in  1823  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1828  to  Alabama  Presbytery. 

Robert  Quarterman*,  received  in  1823  Lie.  from  Harm- 
ony Presbytery;   died  in  1849. 

N.  A.  Pratt,  received  in  1826  from  New  Brunswick 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1840  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 

Lawson  Clinton*,  received  in  1826;  dismissed  in  1834 
to  Hopewell  Presbytery;  died  in  1838. 

E.  H.  Snowden,  received  in  1827  from  New  York  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1830  to  E.  Hanover  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1833  from  E.  Hanover  Presbytery;  dismissed  in 
1834  to  Waterton  Presbytery. 

H.  M.  Blodgett,  received  in  1828  from  Andover  Asso- 
ciation; dismissed  in  1833  to  Charleston  Union;  dismissed 
in  1838  to  New  Haven  Association. 

John  Boggs,  received  in  1828  from  New  Brunswick 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1829  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 

Jas.  S.  Olcott,  received  in  1830  from  Newark  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1836  to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  1839 
deposed. 

Daniel  Baker,  received  in  1830  from  District  of  Co- 
lumbia Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1835  to  W.  Lexington 
Presbytery. 

C.  C.  Jones*,  received  1831  Lie.  from  New  Brunswick 
Presbytery;   died  in  1863. 

Jno.  D.  Mathews,  received  1832  from  Winchester 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1833  to  Philadelphia  Presbytery. 


342     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Thos.  Alexander,  received  in  1833  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;  died  in  1836. 

A.  Benedict,  received  in  1833  from  Fairfield  Associa- 
tion;  died  in  1833. 

Jos.  C.  Stiles,  received  in  1833  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1835  to  W.  L/exington  Presbytery;  died 
in  1879. 

D.  M.  Winston,  received  in  1833  from  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1835  to  W.  Lexington  Presbytery; 
died  in  1839. 

Benj.  Burroughs,  received  in  1833  from  New  York 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1846;  set  off  to  Florida  Presby- 
tery; received  in  1847  from  Florida  Presbytery;  died  in 
18'54. 

Horace  Galpin,  received  in  1835  from  Ontario  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1841  to  New  York  Presbytery. 

W.  Bairds*,  received  in  1836,  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Union;  dismissed  in  1847  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 

Jos.  H.  Jones,  received  in  1837  from  Flint  River  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1841. 

J.  C.  Cosby*,  received  in  1837,  Lie.  from  Hopewell 
Presbytery;  died  in  1837. 

I.  S.  K.  Axson,  received  in  1838  from  Charleston  Un- 
ion; dismissed  in  1854  to  Hopewell  Presbytery;  received 
in  1854  from  Hopewell  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1867  to 
Savannah  Presbytery;    died  in  1891. 

Robert  Dunlop*,  reecived  in  1838,  Lie.  from  Philadel- 
phia Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1840  to  New  Castle  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1891. 

John  Winn*,  received  in  1838  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1858  to  Peoria  Presbytery. 

John  Jones*,  received  in  1841;  dismissed  in  1848  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery;  reeceived  in  1855  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1855  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 

B.  M.  Palmer*,  received  in  1842,  Lie,  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1843  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

Henry  Axtel,  received  in  1842  from  Newark  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1851  to  Louisiana  Presbytery. 

A.  W.  McClure,  received  in  1844  from  Suffolk  Associa- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     343 

tion;  dismissed  in  1847  to  Suffolk  Association. 

J.  B.  Ross,  received  1844  from  W.  Hanover  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1854  to  W.  Hanover  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Stevens,  received  in  1845  from  Cumberland  As- 
sociation; dismissed  in  1847  to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 

L.  S.  Beebee,  received  in  1845  from  New  Brunswick 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1852  to  Eastern  Shore  Presby- 
tery; suspended  in  1853. 

R.  K.  Sewell*,  received  in  1846;  dismissed  in  1853 
to  Lincoln  Association. 

J.  W.  Quarterman*,  received  in  1846;  dismissed  in 
1846  missionary  to  China;   died  in  1857. 

M.  A.  Williams*,  received  in  1846;  dismissed  in  1849 
to  Red  Stone  Presbytery. 

T.  S.  Winn*,  received  in  1846;  dismissed  in  1855  to 
Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

S.  J.  Cassels,  received  in  1847  from  Hanover  Presby- 
tery. 

H.  K.  Reese*,  received  in  1848,  Lie.  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;   joined  Episcopal  church  in  1853. 

W.  G.  Williams*,  received  in  1848  from  E.  Hanover 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1853  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 

J.  M.  Quarterman*,  received  in  1851;  dismissed  in 
1855  to  Florida  Presbytery;   died  in  1858. 

Donald  Fraser*,  received  in  1851  ;  dismissed  in  1856 
to  Florida  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1872  to  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1890. 

J.  H.  Meyers,  received  in  1853  from  Union  (N.  S.) 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1854  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

E.  J.  Williams,  received  in  1853,  Lie.  from  New  Castle 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1853  missionary  to  Africa;  died 
in  1866. 

Jas.  Stacy*,  received  in  1853;  dismissed  in  1855  to 
Flint  River  Presbytery;  died  1912. 

A.  W.  Sproull*,  received  in  1853,  Lie.  from  Philadel- 
phia Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1854  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

D.  L.  Buttolph*,  received  in  1854  from  Charleston  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  186'5  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 


344     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

T.  B.  Neil*,  received  in  1855  from  Charleston  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1865  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

D.  H.  Port€r*,  received  in  1855  from  Charleston  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1873. 

R.  Q.  Mallard*,  received  in  1856;  dismissed  in  1863 
to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1866  to  New  Or- 
leans Presbytery. 

Greo.  C.  Fleming,  received  in  1857  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1858. 

H.  L.  rxeane,  received  in  1857  from  Flint  River  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1868  to  Atlanta  Presbytery;  died  in 
1886. 

F.  H.  Bowman,  received  in  1857  Lie.  from  Hopewell 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1859  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery; 
died  in  1873. 

F.  Bowman,  received  in  1857  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1862  to  W.  Hanover  Presbytery. 

F.  R.  Goulding,  received  in  1858  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; transferred  to  Macon  Presbytery  in  1866;  died  in 
1881. 

R.  Q.  Way,  received  in  1861  from  Ningpo  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1868  to  Savannah  Presbytery;  died  in  1895. 

Geo.  W.  Ladson,  received  in  1862;   died  in  1864. 

C.  B.  King,  received  in  1862  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery;  transferred  in  1881  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

Jas.  S.  Cosby*,  received  in  1864  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1868  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

N.  P.  Quarterman*,  received  in  1866;  dismissed  in  1877 
to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Name  of  Presbytery  changed  from  Georgia  to  Savan- 
nah in  1867. 

CHURCHES. 

Augusta — Received  1821,  received  from  Harmony  at 
organization. 

Mt.  Zion — Received  1821,  received  from  Hopewell  at 
organization. 

Darien— Received  1821,  dissolved  1823. 

St.  Marys — Received  1822. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     345 

Louisville— R-ec€iv€d  1823. 

Clinton— Received  1822,  Jones  County. 

St.  Augustine — Received  1826. 

Savannah — Received  1827. 

Bryan  Neck — Received  1830. 

Waynesville — Received  1832,  dissolved  1897. 

Mandarin  (Fla.)— Received  1834. 

Bethel— Received   1834. 

Tallahassee — Received  1834. 

Linton  Grove — Received  1837,  Camden  County,  dis- 
solved 1849. 

Quincy  (Fla.)— Received  1839. 

Madison,  (Fla.)— Received  1840. 

Pleasant  Grove — Received  1843,  Lib-erty  County. 

Jacksonville — Received  1844. 

Mt.  Vernon — Received  1851. 

Walthousville — Received  1856. 

Flemington — Received  1866. 

Bainbridge — Received  1867,  set  off  to  Macon  Pres. 
1898. 

Brunswick — Received  1867. 

NAME   OF   THE   PRESBYTERY    CHANGED    TO 
SAVANNAH  1867 

Thomasville— Received  1868,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Quitman— Received  1868,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Bethany— Received  1868,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Mineral  Spring — Received  1868. 

Valdosta— Received  1868. 

Stockton— Received  1868,  dissolved  1871. 

Pleasant  Grove— Received  1870,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Dorchester — Received  1871. 

Blackshear — Received  1872. 

Mt.  Horeb— Received  1875,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Cairo— Received  1878,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

From  1881 — 1890  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah  was  con- 
nected with  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida.  The 
condition  of  the  churches  remained  the  same  with  the  fol- 
lowing exceptions: 

Hazelhurst — Received   1881. 


346     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Savannah  Col'd — Received  1881,  dissolved  1884. 

Faceville— Received  1883,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Waycross — Received  1886. 

Poulan— Received  1888,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 
PRESBYTERY  OF  SAVANNAH   RESTORED  TO   SYNOD 
OF  GEORGIA  1890 

Vidalia— Received  1890. 

Bushy  Park — Received  1890,  dissolved  1896. 

Savannah  '2nd — Received   1890,   changed   to   Westmin- 
ster 1902. 

Glenwood — Received  1891. 

Mt.  Zion— Received  1891. 

Pooler — Received  1891,  dissolved  1901. 

Adel— Received  1891. 

McEachern — Received  1892,  dissolved  1894. 

Oconee— Received  1892,  dissolved  1896. 

Marlow — Received  1892,  changed  to  Helmy  Chapel  1904. 

Ebenezer — Received  1892. 

Grant    Chapel — Received    1892,    (col'd)    transferred    to 
Knox  Pres.  1898. 

Moultrie— Received  1892,  set  off  to  Macon  1898. 

Climax— Received  1893,  set  oS.  to  Macon  1898. 

Statesboro — Received  1896. 

Offerman— Received  1896,  dissolved  1898. 

Fitzgerald — Received  1896. 

Erick— Received  1897. 

Daisy— Received  1898. 

McRae — Received  1898. 

Tifton— Received  1899. 

Douglas — Received  1903. 

Metter — Received  1903. 

McGregor — Received  1903. 

Aimwell — Received  1904. 

Sadie— Received  1906. 

Nashville — Received  1906. 

Ludowici — Received  1906. 

Swainsboro — Received  1907, 

Jesup — Received  1907. 

Lumber  City — Received  1907. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA  341 

SAVANNAH  PRESBYTERY 

Set  up  1867. 
MINISTERS. 

D.  L.  Biutolph;  died  1891. 

D.   H.  Porter;    died   1873. 

Jas.  S.  Cosby;  died  1894. 

R.  Q.  Way;   died  1895. 

N.  P.  Quarterman;  dismissed  in  1877  to  Florida  Pres- 
bytery. 

I.  S.  K.  Axson;  died  in  1891. 

C.  B.  King;   died  in  1890. 

J.  H.  Meyers. 

H.  L.  Deane;   died  in  1886. 

The  above  were  the  original  members. 

David  Comfort,  received  in  1868  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1873. 

J.  H.  Alexander,  received  in  1868  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1872  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

Jno.  McKittrick,  received  in  1868  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed   in   1869   to   South   Carolina  Presbytery. 

W.  E.  Hamilton,  received  in  1868  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1869  to  Elizabeth  Presbytery. 

H.  B.  Cunningham,  received  in  1869  from  Patapsca 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1870  to  W.  Lexington  Presby- 
tery. 

A.  W.  Clisby,  received  in  1869  from  Florida  Presby- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1873  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Montgomery,  received  in  1871  from  Florida 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1893  to  Dallas  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Quarterman*,  received  in  1871;  went  out  with 
the  Presbytery  in  1881. 

R.  Q.  Baker*,  received  in  1872;  went  out  with  the  Pres- 
bytery in  1881. 

H.  F.  Hoyt,  received  in  1872  from  Macon  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1879  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

S.  H.  Bell*,  received  in  1874  Lie.  from  Washington 
Presbytery;  name  lost  from  roll  in  1876. 

J.  A.  Smith*,  received  in  1874;  joined  another  church 
in  1880. 


348     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

J.  A.  McK€€,  received  in  1874  from  New  Albany  Pres- 
bytery; transferred  with  Presbytery  to  Florida  in  1881; 
died  in  1897. 

E.  C.  Gordon,  received  in  1874  from  Lexington  Pres- 
bytery; transferred  with  Presbytery  to  Florida  in  1881; 
died  in  1887. 

D.  K.  McFarland,  received  in  1874  from  Chickashaw 
Presbytery;  transferred  with  Presbytery  in  1881  to  Pres- 
bytery of  Florida. 

Jos.  Washburn,  received  in  1875  from  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1880  to  Athens  Presbytery;  died  in 
1886. 

A.  B.  Curry*,  received  in  1875;  went  out  with  Pres- 
bytery in  1881. 

R.  A.  Mickle,  received  in  1858  from  Charleston  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1880  to  Mobile  Presbytery;  died  in 
1906. 

J.  J.  Anderson*,  received  in  1868  candidate  South  Ala- 
bama Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1876  to  East  Hanover 
Presbytery. 

D.  C.  Rankin*,  received  in  1877  Lie.  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1878  to  Orange  Presbytery. 

R.  P.  Kerr,  received  in  1877  from  Lafayette  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1880  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

J.  T.  McBride,  received  in  1879  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; went  out  with  the  Presbytery  in  1881. 

M.  C.  Britt,  received  in  1879  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; went  out  with  the  Presbytery  in  1881. 

B.  E.  Goode*,  received  in  1879  Lie.  from  W.  Hanover 
Presbytery;   name  disappears  in  1883. 

From  1881  to  1891  the  Presbytery  of  Savannah  was 
connected  with  the  Synod  of  South  Georgia  and  Florida. 

T.  M.  Boyd,  received  in  1881  from  Lexington  Presbv- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1886  to  Ovachita  Presbytery;  died  't\ 
1906. 

I.  W.  Waddell*,  received  in  1883  Lie.  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1885  to  Macon  Presbytery. 
G.  W.  Brown,  colored,  received  in  1883. 
J.  W.  Kerr,  received  in  1883  from  Macon  Presbytery; 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     349 

in  1886  to  Central  Mississippi  Presbytery;  died  in  1901. 

J.  W.  Rogan,  received  in  1883  from  Abington  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1890  to  Baltimore  Presbytery;  died  in 
1891. 

R.  Henderson,  received  in  1884  from  E.  Hanover  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1885;   died  in  1886. 

J.  N.  Bradshaw,  received  in  1885  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1889  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Luther  Link*,  received  in  1885. 

J.  H.  Herberner*,  received  in  1886;  dismissed  in  1892 
to  Louisville  Presbytery,  U.  S.  A. 

W.  A.  Jones*,  received  in  1886  Lie.  from  Baltimore 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1890  to  East  Texas  Presbytery. 

W.  H.  McMeen,  received  in  1886  from  Marion  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1891  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

P.  F.  Brown,  received  in  1886  from  W.  Hanover  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1892  to  Kr^oxville  Presbytery. 

H.  H.  Newman*,  received  in  1886  Lie.  Columbia  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1889  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

W.  McF.  Alexander,  received  in  1887;  dismissed  in 
1890  to  Memphis  Presbytery. 

W.  C.  Wallace,  received  in  1888  from  Larned  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1893  to  Larned  Presbytery. 

J.  P.  Word,  received  in  1889  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery;  set  off  to  Macon  in  1881. 

R.  L.  Fulton,  received  in  1889  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1889  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

L.  B.  Davis*,  received  in  1889;  dismissed  in  1893  to 
Atlanta  Presbytery. 

N.  Keff  Smith,  received  in  1889  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1892  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

L.  C.  Vass,  received  in  1890  from  Albermarle  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1897. 

R.  E.  Steele*,  received  in  1890;  dismissed  in  1891  to 
New  Orleans  Presbytery. 

After  their  return  to  the  Synod  of  Georgia: 

J.  E.  McLean,  received  in  1891  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1892  to  the  Dallas  Presbytery. 

T.  J.  Allison,  received  in  1891   from  Concord  Presby- 


350     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

tery;  dismissed  in  1893  to  North  Alabama.  Presbytery. 

Robert  S.  Brown,  received  in  1892  from  Mecklenburg 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1894  to  Columbia  Presbytery. 

W.  S.  Porter*,  received  in  1892  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1895  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

E.  W.  Way*,  received  in  1892;  dismissed  in  1895  to 
Suwanee  Presbytery. 

J.  D.  Taylor*,  colored,  received  in  1892  Lie.  from  Meck- 
lenburg Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1898  to  Knox  Presby- 
tery. 

L.  T.  Way*,  received  in  1892;  dismissed  in  1899  to 
Macon  Presbytery. 

C.  C.  Carson*,  received  in  1893  Lie.  Holston  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1908  to  Holston  Presbytery. 

J.  P.  Marlon,  received  in  1893  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1896  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery;  died 
in  1907. 

D.  F.  Sheppard,  received  in  1893  from  North  Missis- 
sippi Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1893  to  Atlanta  Presbytery; 
received  in  1900  from  Atlanta  Presbytery;  dismissed  1890 
to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery. 

M.  McGillivary*,  received  in  1894  Lie.  from  Charles- 
ton Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1896  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

W.  A.  Nesbit,  received  in  1894  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery. 

T.  M.  Hunter*,  received  in  1895  Lie.  from  Nashville 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1897  to  Western  District  Pres- 
bytery. 

R.  C.  Gilmore*,  received  in  1895  Lie.  from  Lexington 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1898  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

E.  D.  Viser,  received  in  1895  from  Mississippi  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1896. 

J.  W.  Folsom,  received  in  1895  from  Richland  (Cum- 
berland) Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1897  to  Georgia  (Cum- 
berland) Presbytery. 

Geo.  L.  Cook,  received  in  1895  from  Columbia  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1898  to  Concord  Presbytery. 

N.  M.  Templeton*,  received  in  1896  Lie.  from  Enoree 
Presbytery; died  in  1897. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     351 

R.  A.  Brown,  received  in  1896  Lie.  from  Orange  Pres- 
bytery. 

Chas.  Montgomery*,  received  in  1896  Lie.  from  Har- 
mony Presbytery. 

November,  1897,  tlie  counties  of  Decatur,  Thomas, 
Worth,  Brooks  and  Colquitt  were  by  the  iSynod  set  off 
from  Savannah  to  the  Presbytery  of  Macon. 

A.  J.  Smith,  received  1897  Classis  of  Greene;  dismiss- 
ed in  19Q1  evangelist. 

E.  D.  McDougal,  received  in  1897  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; set  off  to  Macon  Presbytery  in  1897. 

R.  A.  IFair,  received  in  1897  from  East  Hanover  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1899. 

Jas.  Y.  Fair,  received  in  1897  from  East  Hanover 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1910  to  East  Hanover  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  F.  Hollingsworth,  received  in  1898  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1905  to  Concord  Presbytery. 

W.  M.  Hunter,  received  in  1899  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1903  to  Norfolk  Presbytery. 

H.  G.  Griswold,  received  in  1899  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1900  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

L.  R.  Lynn*,  received  in  1899  Cand.  Memphis  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1901  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

A.  S.  Allen,  received  in  1899  from  Nashville  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1904  to  Columbia  Presbytery. 

W.  P.  McCorkle,  received  in  1901  from  Orange  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1907  to  Roanoke  Presbytery. 

Edgar  Tufts,  received  in  1901  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1902  to  Concord  Presbytery. 

J.  Y.  Yandle,  received  in  1901  from  Fayetteville  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1904  to  North  Mississippi  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Cochran,  received  in  1901  from  Asheville  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1903  to  Kings  Mountain  Presbytery. 

S.  W.  DuBose,  received  in  1903  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1905  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

W.  C.  Hagan,  received  in  1903  from  Mecklenburg  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1905  to  Macon  Presbytery. 


352     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

J.  McD.  A.  Lacy,  received  in  1902;  dismissed  in  1903 
to  Abingdon  Presbytery. 

W.  W.  Edge,  received  in  1905  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1907  to  Westminster  Presbytery. 

F.  D.  Thomas,  received  in  1905  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery. 

H.  E.  McClure,  received  in  1906  from  Tombeckbee 
Presbytery. 

Alex  Kirkland,  received  in  1906  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1910. 

W.  S.  Harden*,  received  in  1906  Lie;  dismissed  in 
1910  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

H.  M.  Perkins,  received  in  1907  from  Rio  Grande  U.  S. 
A.  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Pecos  U.  S.  A.  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  W.  Atwood,  received  1907  from  Meridian  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  1908  to  Louisville  Presbytery. 

W.  S.  Wadley,  received  in  1907  from  Chickasaw  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1908  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Wm.  Denham,  received  in  1907  from  Nashville  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1909  to  Arkansas  Presbytery. 

Wm.  Moore  Scott,  received  in  1908  from  Memphis  Pres- 
bytery. 

Henry  Rankin,  received  in  1908  from  Reformed  Epis- 
copal Church. 

C.  B.  Boyles,  received  in  1908  from  Memphis  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1910  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

L.  A.  McLaurin,  received  in  1909  from  Fayette"ille 
Presbytery. 

Geo.  L.  Bitzer,  received  in  1909  from  Eastern  Texas 
Presbytery. 

W.  S.  Milne,  received  in  1909  from  St.  Johns  Presby- 
tery. 

C.  G.  Christian,  received  in  1910  from  Albermarle 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1911  to  Central  Texas  Presby- 
tery. 

Rockwell  S.  Brank,  received  in  1910  from  St.  Louis 
Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     353 

R.  M.  Mann,  received  in  1911  from  Mecklenburg  Pres- 
bytery. 

A.  W.  Pierce,  received  in  1911  from  St.  John  Presby- 
tery. 


GOOD  HOPE  PRESBYTERY 

(And  Flint  River  and  Atlanta.) 

Set  up  1834. 

MINISTERS. 

James  Gamble,  dismissed  in  1838  to  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery. 

R.  Chamberlain,  dismissed  in  1841  to  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1856. 

Jno.  S.  Wilson,  died  in  1873. 

J.  Y.  Alexander,  died  in  1857. 

J.  C.  Patterson,  died  in  1866. 

Thos.  F.  Scott,  dismissed  in  1837  to  West  Tennessee 
Presbytery;  joined  Episcopal  church  in  1839. 

W.  B.  Richards,  joined  Baptist  church  in  1839. 

W.  K.  Patton,  dismissea  in  1842  to  East  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery. 

John  Baker,  died  in  1834. 

Edwin  Holt,  dismissed  in  1836  to  Newburyport  Presby- 
tery. 

Above  were  original  members. 

Michael  Dickson,  received  in  1834  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1843  to  East  Alabama  Presby- 
tery; received  in  1844  from  East  Alabama  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1846  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

James  Stratton*,  received  in  1835;  joined  another 
church  in  1843. 

Name  of  Presbytery  changed  to  Flint  River  March  14, 
1835. 

Thos.  Goulding,  received  in  1835  from  Harmony  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1848. 

A.  M.  Mooney,  received  in  1835  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1841  to  South  Alabama  Presbytery. 

Jno.  Warnock,  received  in  1835  from  Fayetteville  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1837  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 


354     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

T.  F.  Montgomery*,  received  in  1836;  dismissed  in 
1857  to  Cherokee  Presbytery;  received  in  1858  from  Cher- 
okee Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1870  to  'Florida  Presbytery. 

Jos.  L.  Jones*,  received  in  1836;  dismissed  in  1837  to 
Georgia  Presbytery. 

John  Brown,  received  in  1837  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; set  off  to  Florida  in  1841. 

S.  J.  Cassells,  received  in  1837  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1842  to  East  Hanover  Presbytery;  re^ 
ceived  in  1850  (?)  from  E.  Hanover  Presbytery;  dismissed 
in  1851  to  Georgia  Presbytery;   died  in  1853. 

Lyman  Corbin*,  received  1838  Lie.  from  Hopewell 
Presbytery;   died  in  1844. 

Jas.  H.  Saye*,  received  in  1838;  dismissed  in  1839  to 
Bethel  Presbytery. 

J.  G.  Likens,  received  in  1839  from  South  Alabama 
Presbytery;    died  in  1840. 

R.  J.  Montgomery,  received  in  1839  from  Union  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1840. 

R.  T.  Marks*,  received  in  1839;   died  in  1867. 

S.  W.  Erwin*,  received  in  1839  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1840. 

Geo.  W.  McKoy*,  received  in  1840. 

Aaron  H.  Hand*,  received  in  1841;  dismissed  in  1843 
to  Northumberland  Presbytery. 

W.  M.  Cunningham,  received  in  1841  from  Lexington 
Presbytery;   died  in  1870. 

Daniel  Engles*,  received  in  1842;  dismissed  in  1851  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery. 

Geo.  Dunham,  received  in  1842  from  Holston  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1849  to  Greenbrier  Presbytery. 

H.  L.  Dean,  received  in  1842  from  New  Hampshire  As- 
sociation; dismissed  in  1856  to  Georgia  Presbytery. 

N.  A.  Pratt,  received  in  1843;  added  by  Synod. 

I.  W.  Waddell,  received  in  1843;  added  by  Synod;  died 
in  1849. 

A.  B.  McCorkle,  received  in  1843;  added  by  Synod. 
J.  U.  Parsons,  received  in  1845  from  Evangelical  Asso- 
ciation; dismissed  in  1849  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     355 

W.  J.  Keith,  rec€iv€d  in  1846  from  Union  Presbytery- 
died  in  1874. 

J.  R.  McCarter*.  received  in  1846;  dismissed  in  1855 
to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

F.  McMurray*,  received  in  1848;  dismissed  in  1857  to 
East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

Jos.  Gibert*,  received  in  1848;  dismissed  in  1852  to 
South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Stevens,  received  in  1848  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1860. 

A.  G.  Peden,  received  in  1849  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1896. 

Jas.  Rosamond*,  received  in  1849;  dismissed  in  1852  to 
Tombecbee  Presbytery. 

Albert  Shot  well*,  received  in  1849;  dismissed  in  1854 
to  Louisville  Presbytery. 

Wm.  Mathews*,  received  in  1850;  dismissed  in  1858  to 
Florida  Presbytery;   died  in  1862. 

C.  B.  King,  received  in  1850  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1880. 

J.  L.  King*,  received  in  1850  Lie.  from  Hopewell;  died 
in  1901. 

S.  D.  Campbell,  received  in  1851  from  Montgomery 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1853  to  Florida  Presbytery;  died 
in  1962. 

Jno.  McKittrick,  received  in  1853  from  South  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1863;  died  in  1874. 

S.  H.  Higgins,  received  in  1853  from  Suffolk  Associa- 
tion; dismissed  in  1867. 

Jas.  Stacy,  received  in  1855  from  Georgia  Presbytery; 
died  in  1912. 

W.  C.  Smith,  received  in  1857  from  South  Alabama 
Presbytery;  went  North  in  1863,  name  stricken. 

J.  E.  DuBose,  received  in  1853  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1858  to  Florida  Presbytery, 

J.  L.  Rogers,  received  in  1857  from  Tuscambia  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1867  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

C.  P.  B.  Martin*,  received  in  1854;   died  in  1908. 

R.  A.  Mickle,  received  in  1858  from  Charleston  Presby- 


356     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

tery;  dismissed  in  1862  to  South  Alabama  Presbytery;  died 
in  1906. 

Robt.  Logan,  received  in  1858  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1868. 

A.  R.  Liddell*,  received  in  1858;  died  in  1860. 

G.  H.  Coit*,  received  in  1858  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1867;  died  in  1877. 

C,  M.  Shepperson,  received  in  1858  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1861  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

H.  C.  Carter,  received  in  1859  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1867  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

E.  D.  Eldridge,  received  in  1859  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery. 

H.  F.  Hoyt*,  received  in  1860  Lie.  from  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  P.  Harrison,  received  in  1861  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1865  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Homer  Hendee,  received  in  1862  from  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery. 

R.  Q.  Mallard,  received  in  1863  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1866  to  New  Orleans  Presbytery;  died 
in  1903. 

John  Jones,  received  in  1866  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1879  to  Augusta  Presbytery;  died  in  1893. 

T.  E.  Smith,  received  in  1866  from  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

J.  N.  Bradshaw,  received  in  1866  from  Knoxville  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1885  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

L.  H.  Wilson*,  received  in  1866  Lie.  from  Knoxville 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1875  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

Presbytery  divided  into  Atlanta  and  Macon  Presby- 
teries in  1866.    Name  changed  to  Atlanta  Presbytery  1867. 


ATLANTA  PRESBYTERY 
MINISTERS. 
J.  S.  Wilson;   died  in  1873. 
John  Jones;  died  in  1893. 
W.  J.  Keith;  died  in  1874. 
A.  G.  Peden;  died  in  1896. 
W.  M.  Cunningham;   died  in  1870. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     357 

Robert  Logan;  dismissed  in  1867  to  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery; received  in  1868  from  Cherokee  Presbytery;  dis- 
missed in  1877  to  Eastern  Texas  Presbytery. 

Jas.  Stacy;  died  1912. 

H.  C.  Carter;  dismissed  in  1867  to  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1870. 

R.  T.  Marks;   died  in  1868. 

T.  F.  Montgomery;  dismissed  in  1870  to  Florida  Pres- 
bytery. 

J.  L.  Rogers;    died  in  1892. 

Above  were  original  members. 

James  Wilson,  received  in  1867  from  Knoxville  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1868  to  Nashville  Presbytery. 

R.  K.  Porter,  received  in  1867  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1869. 

M.  D.  Wood,  received  in  1867  from  Bethel  Presbytery; 
deposed  in  1871. 

Henry  Quigg,  received  in  1867  from  Associate  Re- 
formed church;  died  in  1907. 

R.  C.  Ketchum,  received  in  1867  from  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1876. 

Washington  Baird,  received  in  1867  from  Hopewell 
Presbytery;   died  in  1868. 

A.  E.  Chandler,  received  in  1869  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1871  to  Cherokee  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1883  from  Macon  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1896 
to  Harmony  Presbytery. 

H.  L.  Deane,  received  in  1869  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1881  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery;  died  in  1186. 

J.  T.  Leftwich,  received  in  1870  from  Chesapeake  Pres- 
bytery;  dissmissed  in  1879  to  Baltimore  Presbytery. 

W.  W.  Brimm*,  received  in  1870;  dismissed  in  1873  to 
East  Texas  Presbytery;  received  in  1901  from  New  Orleans 
Presbytery. 

J.  N.  Bradshaw,  received  in  1871  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1885  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

F.  McMurray,  receiv-ed  in  1872  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1884  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

R.  H.  Nail,  received  in  1872  from  East  Alabama  Pres- 


358     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

bytery;  dismissed  in  1878  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

H.  L.  Harvey,  received  in  1872  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  joined  Methodist  church,  South,  in  1875. 

L.  H.  Wilson,  received  in  1872  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1875  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

J.  L.  King,  received  in  1872  from  Macon  Presbytery; 
died  in  1901. 

D.  Fraser,  received  in  1872  from  Florida  Presbytery; 
died  in  1887. 

Wm.  Dimmock*,  received  in  1872;  died  in  1880. 

J.  H.  Martin,  received  in  1873  from  Holston  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1883  to  West  Lexington  Presbytery. 

S.  S.  Gaillard,  received  in  1875  from  Macon  Presbytery 
died  in  1879. 

T.  D.  Latimer*,  received  in  1875;  dismissed  in  1878  to 
East  Texas  Presbytery. 

J.  L.  Rogers,  received  in  1876  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1891. 

W.  A.  Dabney*,  received  in  1876;  dismissed  in  1880  to 
Oui'Chita  Presbytery;  received  in  1902  from  West  Hanover 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1904  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

R.  P.  Taylor,  received  1877  from  Cherokee  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1880  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

F.  Jacobs,  received  in  1877  from  South  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1877  to  East  Texts  Presbytery. 

M.  C.  Britt*,  received  in  1877;  dismissed  in  1879  to 
Savannah  Presbytery. 

W.  T.  Hollings worth*,  received  in  1877;  dismissed  in 
1887  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

A.  A.  Jones,  colored,  received  in  1879;  joined  Knox 
Presbytery. 

W  McN.  McKay,  received  in  1879  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1890  to  Washbourne  Presbytery. 

N.  Keff  iSmith,  received  in  1879  from  Memphis  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1884  to  Augusta  Presbytery;  received 
in  1855  from  Augusta  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1889  to 
Savannah  Presbytery. 

W.  E.  Boggs,  received  in  1880  from  Memphis  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1885  to  Memphis  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     359 

Andrew  MeElroy,  received  in  1880  from  Nashville 
Presbytery;   died  in  1884. 

J.  F.  McClellend*,  received  in  1881;  died  in  1885. 

G.  B.  Strickler,  received  in  1883  from  Lrexington  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1898  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

E.  H.  Barnett,  received  in  1883  from  Abingdon  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1898. 

J.  H.  Alexander,  received  in  1883  from  Abingdon  Pres- 
bytrey;  dismissed  in  1889  to  Abingdon  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1895  from  Abingdon  Presbytery;   died  in  1910. 

Z.  B.  Graves,  received  in  1883  from  Macon  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1885  to  Tombeckbee  Presbytery. 

J.  T.  Bruce*,  received  in  1883;  dismissed  n  1893  to 
South  Alabama  Prsbytery;   died  in  1897. 

J.  R.  Harris*,  colored,  received  in  1883  Lie.  from 
Abingdon  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1887  to  Knox  Presby- 
tery. 

K.  P.  Julian,  received  in  1884  from  Montgomery  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1886  to  Florida,  St.  Johns  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1889. 

J.  E.  DuBose,  received  in  1884  from  Central  Mississip- 
pi Presbytery;  died  in  1895. 

T.  P.  Cleveland,  received  in  1885  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  D.  Heath,  received  in  1886  from  N.  Ga.  Conference 
M.  E.  Church;  dismissed  in  1890  to  South  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. 

Samuel  Scott*,  received  in  1886;  dismissed  in  1889  to 
Augusta  Presbytery. 

W.  E.  Dozier*,  received  in  1887. 

W.  H.  Johnson*,  received  in  1888  Lie.  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;  died  in  1890. 

W.  H.  Sheppard,  colored,  received  in  1888  from  Tus- 
caloosa Presbytery;   Missionary  to  Africa  in  1890. 

W.  A.  Nisbet*,  received  in  1888;  dismissed  in  1892  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery. 

H.  K.  Walker,  received  in  1888  from  Columbia  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1888  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 


360     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

F.  R.  Cowan,  received  in  1889;  dismissed  in  1889  to 
Campinas  Presbytery. 

F.  H.  Gaines,  received  in  1889  from  Montgomery  Pres- 
bytery. 

N.  B.  Mathes*,  received  in  1889  Lie.  from  Nasliville 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1905  to  Cherokee  Presbj-tery. 

A.  A.  Little,  received  in  1889  from  West  Hanover  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1890  to  West  Hanover  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Pogue,  received  in  1889  from  Nashville  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1901  to  Cincinnati  Presbytery. 

A.  G.  Wardlaw,  received  in  1889  from  the  North  Ga. 
Conference  M.  E.  Church;  dismissed  in  1890  to  Enoree 
Presbytery. 

A.  R.  Holderby,  received  in  1890  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

J.  H.  Colton,  received  in  1890  from  Fayetteville  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1892  to  Transylvania  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Mack,  received  in  1890  from  Fayetteville  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1902  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery;  died 
in  1912. 

R.  D.  Perry,  received  in  1890  from  Mecklenburg  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1896  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

R.  N.  Abraham*,  received  in  1891  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1899  to  Athens  Presbytery. 

W.  G.  Woodbridge,  received  in  1891  from  Long  Island 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1905  to  North  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. 

G.  L.  Cook,  received  in  1891  from  South  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1893  to  Columbia  Presbytery. 

W.  H.  McMeen,  received  in  1891  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1896  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

J.  K.  Smith*,  received  in  1891;  dismissed  in  1892  to 
Augusta  Presbytery. 

Chalmers  Eraser,  received  in  1891  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1899  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

J.  P.  Anderson,  received  in  1891  from  Suwanee  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1899  to  August  Presbytery. 

M.  F.  Duncan,  received  in  1891  from  Paducah  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1897  to  Philadelphia  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     361 

I.  W.  Waddell,  received  in  1892  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1893  to  Athens  Presbytery.) 

T.  P.  Burgess,  received  in  1893  from  South  Alabama 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1899  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

R.  A.  Bowman,  received  in  1893  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery;   died  in  1898. 

Edward  Bailey,  received  in  1893  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1895  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

L.  B.  Davis,  received  in  1893  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery. 

Samuel  Young,  received  in  1893  from  Alleghany  U. 
P.  C. 

T.  B.  Trenholm*,  received  in  1893  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

D.  F.  Sheppard,  received  in  1894  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1899  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

J.  F.  Pharr,  received  in  1894  from  Augusta  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1898  to  Concord  Presbytery. 

W.  P.  Chevalier,  received  in  1894  from  Louisville  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1895  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

R.  O.  Flinn*,  received  in  1894  Lie.  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1898  to  Macon  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1899  from  Macon  Presbytery. 

G.  W.  Bull,  received  in  1896  from  South  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1903  to  Nashville  Presbytery. 

P.  P.  Winn,  received  in  1896  from  South  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1909  to  Asheville  Presbytery. 

W.  M.  Hunter*,  received  in  1896  Lie.  from  Mecklen- 
burg Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1899  to  Savannah  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  P.  Hemphill*,  received  in  1896;  died  in  1906. 

J.  G.  Patton,  received  in  1896  from  Paducah  Presby- 
tery. 

T.  H.  Rice,  received  in  1896  from  Chesapeake  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  East  Hanover  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Hillhouse,  received  in  1896;  dismissed  in  1906  to 
Augusta  Presbytery. 

R.  L.  Fulton,  received  in  1896  irom  Suwanee  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1902. 


362     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

F.  R.  Graves,  received  in  1897  from  St.  Johns  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1902  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

D.  G.  Armstrong,  received  in  1897  from  Macon  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1901. 

J.  S.  Sibley,  received  in  1897  Lie.  Upper  Mississippi 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1900  to  Winchester  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Xiacy,  received  in  1908  Lie.  from  Greenbrier  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1900  to  Norfolk  Presbytery. 

H.  C.  Hammond*,  received  in  1898;  dismissed  in  1911 
to  Harmony  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Stokes*,  received  in  1898;  dismissed  in  1904  to 
Macon  Presbytery. 

R.  C.  Reed,  received  in  1899  from  Nashville  Presby- 
tery. 

T.  C.  Cleveland*,  received  in  1898;  dismissed  in  1901 
to  N.  E.  Conference  M.  E.  church. 

C.  P.  Bridewell,  received  in  1899  from  Fort  Worth 
Preebytery;  suspended  in  1907. 

J.  A.  Clotfelter*,  received  in  1899. 

W.  H.  Eraser*,  received  in  1899  Lie.  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

C.  W.  Humphreys,  received  in  1899  from  Bethel  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1906  to  Greenbrier  Presbytery. 

C.  R.  Nisbet,  received  in  1900  from  Macon  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1906  to  Nashville  Presbytery. 

J.  G.  Herndon,  received  in  1900  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery. 

E.  W.  Russell*,  received  in  1900. 

C.  O'N.  Martindale,  received  in  1901  from  Cherokee 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1906  to  N.  Alabama  Presbytery. 

W.  Lee  Harrell,  received  in  1901  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1904  to  Augusta  Presbytery;  died  in 
1906. 

R.  L.  Bell,  received  in  1902  from  2d  Pres.  A.  R.  Synod; 
dismissed  in  1903  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  L.  Martin,  received  in  1902  from  Palmyra  Presby- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1906  to  Suswanee  Presbytery. 

B.  H.  Holt,  received  in  1902  from  Western  Texas  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1906  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     363 

L.  G.  Henderson,  received  in  1902  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1906  to  Knoxville  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Atwood*,  received  in  1902  Cand.  Ouichita  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1904  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

J.  E.  James*,  received  in  1902  Lie.  from  Tuscaloosa 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1904  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery. 

R.  H.  Overcash,  received  in  1902  from  Asheville  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1903  to  W.  Lexington  Presbytery. 

R.  H.  Morris,  received  in  1902  from  Suwanee  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1903  to  New  Brunswick  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Ficklen,  received  in  1904  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery. 

K.  A.  Campbell,  received  in  1904  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery. 

E.  Mac  Davis,  received  in  1904  from  Asheville  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1905. 

W.  C.  Young,  received  in  1904  from  Fort  Worth  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1906  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

L.  R.  Walker,  received  in  1904  from  Florida  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1910  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

F.  D.  Thomas,  received  in  1904  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1905  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

T.  E.  Converse,  received  in  1905  from  Louisville  Pres- 
bytery. 

Homer  McMillan,  received  in  1905  from  Classis  Re- 
formed church  of  America. 

S.  W.  DuBose,  received  in  1905  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

Jos.  E.  Hannah*,  received  in  1905. 

J.  S.  Montgomery,  received  in  1906  from  St.  Clairville 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1906  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

J.  H.  Dixon,  received  in  1906  from  Mecklenburg  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1907   to   Fayetteville  Presbytery. 

W.  W.  McMorries,  received  in  1906  from  2d  Pres.  As.  Ref. 

J.  B.  Mack,  received  in  1906  from  Mecklenburg  Preg- 
bytery;  died  in  1912. 

Moses  C.  Liddell,  received  in  1906  from  the  Baptist 
church;   dismissed  in  1906  to  Durant  Presbytery. 


364     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

R.  F.  Otts,  received  in  1906  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery;  demitted  ministry  in  1908. 

T.  H.  Newkirk,  received  in  1906  from  Peedee  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1910  to  Athens  Presbytery. 

Jno.  B.  Gordon,  received  in  1906  from  Louisville  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  A.  Murray,  received  1906  from  Kings  Mountain 
Presbytery. 

Jno.  I.  Simpson,  received  in  1906  from  Transylvania 
Presbytery. 

Jno.  I.  Armstrong*,  received  in  1906  Lie.  from  West 
Hanover  Presbytery. 

B.  F.  Guille,  received  in  1907  from  Cairo  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1908  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

H.  J.  Williams,  received  in  1907  from  Kanawha  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  L.  Lingle,  received  in  1907  from  Bethel  Presbytery. 

P.  D.  Hunt,  received  in  1907  from  Enoree  Presbytery. 

T.  W.  Winfield,  received  in  1907  from  New  York  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1909  to  Ottawa,  Canada,  Presbytery. 

James  Bradley,  received  in  1907  from  Enoree  Pres'by- 
tery. 

E.  D.  Brownlee*,  received  in  1907. 

P.  H.  Moore*,  received  in  1907  Lie.  from  Bethel  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1908  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

Jno.  W.  Grier*,  received  in  1907  from  Mecklenburg 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery. 

Robert  H.  Orr,  received  in  1908  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1911  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

John  David  Keith,  received  in  1908  from  Ga.  Conf.  M. 
P.  church;   dismissed  in  1910  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

A.  W.  Grigg,  received  in  1908  from  Philadelphia  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1910  to  Newark  U.  S.  A.  Presbytery. 

H.  W.  Flinn,  received  in  1908  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1911  to  Norfolk  Presbytery. 

Fritz  Rauchenberg*,  received  in  1908. 

A.  A.  Little,  received  in  1908  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery. 

L.  B.  Fields,  received  in  1908. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     365 

R.  D.  Stinson,  received  in  1908  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1910. 

N.  B.  Mathes,  received  in  1909  from  Cherokee  Presby- 

teA-y. 

D.  H.  Ogden,  received  in  1909  from  Knoxville  Presby- 
tery. 

C.  C.  Carson,  received  in  1910  from  Mangum  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1911  to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery. 

J.  P.  Smitli,  received  in  1910  from  Chesapeake  Presby- 
tery. 

A.  L.  Johnson,  received  in  1910  from  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  C.  Young,  received  in  1910  from  Lexington  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  H.  Chapman,  received  in  1910  from  Chattanooga 
U.  S.  A.  Presbytery. 

Thornwell  Jacobs,  received  in  1910  from  Enoree  Pres- 
bytery. 

C.  E.  Wehler,  received  in  1910  from  Reformed  church 
U.  S.  A. 

W.  McC.  Miller,  received  in  1911  from  Ebenezer  Pres- 
bytery. 

J.  M.  Harris,  received  in  1911  from  Kings  Mountain 
Presbytery. 

W.  Beale,  received  in  1911  from  Mangum  Presbytery. 

M.  C.  Liddell,  received  in  1911  from  Mangum  Presby- 
tery. 

G.  R.  Buford,  received  in  1911  from  Louisville  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  P.  Chevalier,  received  in  1911  from  Louisville 
Presbytery. 


GOOD  HOPE  PRESBYTERY. 
CHURCHES 
Alcovia— Organized   1823,   first   mentioned   1823;    drop- 
ped 1889. 

Bethesda — Organized   1830,   Bibb   County;    dissolved. 
Carmel — Organized  1810,  dissolved  1840. 
Columbus — Organized  1829;   with  5  members. 


366     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Covington— Organized    1827,    dissolved    1847;    reorgan- 
ized 1877. 

Decatur — Organized  1825  by  Dr.  Wilson,  as  Westmin- 
ster Church. 

Ephesus — Organized  1829. 

Fairview. 

Fayetteville — Stricken  1841. 

Forsyth— ^Organized  1828. 

Hopewell — Organized    1828,      Crawford      County;    dis- 
solved 1856. 

Hamilton — ^Organized  1829. 

Harmony — Organized  1825,  DeKalb  County,  near  Deca- 
tur, by  Dr.  Wilson. 

Greenville — Organized  1829. 

Goshen — ^Organized   1834,   name   changed   to   Norcross 
1884. 

Jackson — 1826,    declared    extinct    1875.        Reorganized 
1889. 

LaGrange — ^Organized  1829. 

Macon — Organized  1826,  transferred  with  Bibb  County 
to  Hopewell  1842. 

McDonough — Organized  1827. 

Newnan — Organized  1828. 

Providence — Organized  1831,  Franklin,  Heard  County. 

Philadelphia — Organized  1825. 

Smyrna — ^Organized  1827. 

Thomaston — Organized  1829. 

Union  Chapel — Organized  1834,  Fayette  County,  chang- 
ed to  Fayetteville  1847. 

Zebulon — Organized   1828,   stricken   1868;    reorganized 
1898;   dissolved  1905. 

Mt   Zion — Organized    1834,    Talbot     County.        (Nam« 
changed  to  Flint  River  1835.) 

FLINT  RIVER  PRESBYTERY. 

Friendship — Received  1835,  set  off  from  Zebulon. 

Muscogee — Received  1835,  organized  by  Dr.  Goulding. 

Mt.  Zion— Received  1836,  Talbot  County. 

Franklin — Received  1836,     Heard     County,     dissolved 
1844. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     367 

Mt  Tabor— Received  1836. 

Long  Cane — Received   1837,  changed  to  Loyd,  1887. 

White  Oak — Received  1838,  name  changed  to  Turin, 
1888. 

Ebenezer — Received  1838,  set  off  from  LaGrange. 

Berea — Received  1838,  name  changed  to  Cuthbert, 
1847. 

Florence — Received  1839,  dissolved  1884. 

Monroe — Received  1839,  merged  in  Social  Circle,  1843. 

West  Point — Received  1841. 

GrifRn — Received  1842,  organized  by  Rev.  L.  M.  Cor- 
bin,  with  6  members. 

Carrollton — Received  1842. 

Salem— Received  1842,  dissolved,  1867. 

Brainerd — Received  1843,  dissolved  1882. 

Bethany— Received   1843. 

Marietta — Received  1843,  added  by  change  of  bound- 
ary by  Synod,  1842. 

Hickory  Flat — Received  1843,  added  by  change  of 
boundary  by  Synod,  1842. 

Mrs  Hill — Received  1843,  added  by  change  of  boundary 
by  Synod,  1842. 

Fellowship — Received  1843. 

Central  Church,  Walton  County — Organized  1843  Social 
Circle;   dissolved  1848. 

Americus — Received  1846. 

Emmaus — Received  1847,  Muscogee  County. 

Perry — Received  1847. 

Pachitla — Received  1850. 

Lumpkin — Received  1853. 

White  Sulphur— Received  1856,  dissolved,  1888. 

Central — Received  1857. 

Villa  Rica— Received  1858. 

Conyers — Received  1860. 

Bethel— Received  1863,  Mitchell  County. 

Atlanta  Col'd.— Received  1866. 

Rock  Spring — Received  1871. 

Thomaston — Received  1871. 


368     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Bo\venvill€ — Received  1873,  Carroll  County;  dissolved 
1878. 

Stone  Mountain — Received  1847. 

Atlanta  3rd. — Received  1874,  name  changed  to  Moore 
Memorial,  1891. 

Lithonia — Received  1875,  reorganized  1891. 

Salem — Received  1875,  at  Flat  Shoals. 

Midway— Received  1876,  DeKalb  County. 

Hunter  St — Received  1876, 

Mt  Sinai  Col'd. — Received  1876,  joined  Knox  Pres., 
about  1894. 

Jonesboro — Received  1880. 

Timber  Ridge — Received  1880., 

Zion  Col'd. 

Atlanta — Received  1880,  added  to  roll  1885;  dissolved 
1894. 

Flat  Rock — Received  1884,  Henry  County. 

West  End— Received  1887. 

Mountville— Received  1887. 

4th  Atlanta— 1888,  name  changed  to  Druid  Park,  1910. 

Tallapoosa— Received  1888. 

Georgia  Ave. — Received   1890. 

Palmetto — Received  1890. 

Buford— Received  1891. 

Lawrenceville — Received  1891. 

Barnett— Received  1891. 

Barnesville — Received  1891. 

Kirkwood — Received  1892. 

Senoia — Received  1893. 

Manchester — Received  1894,  changed  to  Hapeville 
1896. 

Stacy — Received  1896,  at  Greenville. 

Morris  Grove — Received  1896,  dissolved  in  1909. 

Bamah — Received  1898,  at  Luxomni;   dissolved  1901. 

North  Ave.— Received  1899. 

Kelley— Received  1900. 

Ingleside — Received  1900. 

College  Park — Received  1900. 

Westminster — Received  1901. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     369 

Prior  Street — Received  1902. 

Pantherville — Received  1902. 

Bremen — Received  1902. 

McTyre  Chapel — Received  1903,  dissolved  1909. 

Stock  Bridge — Received  1909. 

Battle  Hill,  1911. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  FLORIDA 

Set  up  1840 

MINISTERS. 

John  Brown,  received  in  1841,  set  off  from  Flint  River 
Presbytery;  died  in  1842. 

Phiilo  F.  Phelps,  reecived  in  1841  from  Troy  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1841. 

Benj.  Burroughs,  received  in  1841;   died  in  1854. 

Joshua   Phelps,   received   in   1841     from     Philadelphia 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1853  to  Iowa  Presbytery. 

R.   M.   Baker,   received   in  1841;    dismissed  in  1846  to 
Hopewell  Presbytery. 

Joel  S.  Graves,  received  in  1841. 

Eli  Graves,  received  in  1841;   died  in  1866. 

The  above  were  set  off  from  Flint  River  Presbj-tery 
in  1840. 

Jno.  C.  Baldwin,  received  in  1842  from  South  Alabama 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1843  to  Hopewell  Presbytery, 

Edmond  Lee*,  received  in  1845;   died  in  1892. 

W.  E.  Buell,  received  in  1846  from  E.  Hanover  Presby- 
tery. 

James  Wood,  reecived  in  1846  from  West  Tennessee 
Presbytery. 

William   Neil,  received  in  1847;    dismissed  in  1853  to 
W.  Hanover  Presbytery. 

Jno.  H.  Rice,  received   in  1848;    dismissed  in  1850  to 
W.  Hanover  Presbytery. 

W.  H  .Crane,  received  in  1850. 

Jesse   Hume,   received   in    1851   from   Nashville;    died 
in  1854. 

W.  E.  Hamilton*,  received  in  1851;   dismissed  in  1867 
to   Savannah,   Boundary   changed. 

S.   D.   Campbell,   received   in   1853   from     Flint   River 


370     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Pr-esbytery;  dismissed  in  1862  to  E.  Alabama  Presbytery; 
died  in  1862. 

Samuel  S.  Milleken*,  received  in  1853. 

D.  J.  Auld,  received  in  1853  from  Betliel  Presbytery; 
died  in  1857. 

Henry  Cherry,  received  in  1853  from  Rochestor  Pres- 
bytery. 

Homer  Hendee,  received  in  1853  from  Hopevi^ell  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1857  to  Hopewell  Presbytery. 

D.  McNeil  Turner,  received  in  1855;  dismissed  in  1860 
to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

J.  H.  Meyers,  received  in  1855  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1857  to  Elizabethtown  Presbytery;  died 
in  1890. 

A.  W.  Sproull,,  received  in  1854  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1856  to  Philadelphia  Presbytery. 

A.  R.  Wolfe,  received  in  1855;  dismissed  in  1860  to 
Newark  Presbytery. 

Geo.  C.  Fleming*,  received  in  1855;  dismissed  in  1857 
to  Georgia  Presbytery;   died  in  1858. 

Donald  Eraser,  received  in  1856  from  Georgia  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1872  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

Wm.  N.  Peacock,  received  in  1856  from  Fayetteville 
Presbytery;   died  in  1863. 

Joseph  Brown,  received  in  1857  from  Mississippi  Pres- 
bytery; set  off  in  1878  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery;  died  in 
1880. 

Jos.  M.  Quarterman,  received  1857  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1858. 

A.  W.  Clisby*,  received  in  1857  from  Florida  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1867  by  change  of  boundary. 

William  Mathews,  received  in  1858  from  Flint  River 
Presbytery;   died  in  1862. 

E.  O.  Frierson,  received  in  1858;  dismissed  in  1862  to 
Harmony  Presbytery. 

Henry  Brown,  received  in  1858  from  Lexington  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

E.  P.  Crane,  received  in  1858  from  Hudson  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1868  to  Ohio  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     371 

A.  E.  Chandler,  received  in  1858  from  Harmony  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1868  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

W.  J.  McCormick,  received  in  1859  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1883. 

J.  E.  DuBose,  received  in  1859  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1871  to  Muhlenburg  Presbytery. 

Archibald  Baker,  received  in  1860  from  Concord  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1873  to  Fayetteville  Presbytery. 

G.  W.  Butler,  received  in  1860;  dismissed  in  1860  to 
East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

James  Little*,  received  in  1860  Lie.  from  New  York 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1876  to  Whitby,  Canada,  Pres- 
bytery. 

S.  S.  F.  Holliday,  received  in  1862. 

Jas.  E.  Dunlap*,  received  in  1862  Lie.  from  Bethel 
Presbytery. 

E.  T.  Williams*,  received  in  1863  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1866. 

W.  P.  Harrison,  received  in  1865  from  Flint  River 
Presbytery. 

J.  H.  Alexander,  received  in  1866;   died  in  1910. 

David  Comfort,  received  in  1866;  dismissed  to  Savan- 
nah Presbytery;   died  in  1873. 

T.  A.  Carruth,  received  in  1866;  joined  elsewhere  in  1866. 

W.  B.  Telford,  received  in  1865  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery;   died   in  1891. 

T.  L.  Deveaux,  received  in  1868;  dismissed  in  1873  to 
Fayetteville  Presbytery;  died  in  1876. 

J.  W.  Montgomery,  received  in  1869;  dismissed  in  1871 
to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

Chas.  Kenmore,  received  in  1869  from  Central  Mis- 
sissippi Presbytery;   died  in  1871. 

T.  F.  Montgomery,  received  in  1871  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1875. 

B.  C.  Robertson*,  received  in  1871;  died  in  1872. 

B.  L.  Baker,  received  in  1871  from  Bethel  Presbytery. 

F.  Jacobs,  received  in  1871  from  Augusta  Presbytery. 
J.   C.   Grow*,  received   in   1871;    dismissed  in   1878  to 

Augusta  Presbytery. 


372     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Henry  Brown,  received  in  1871  from  Knoxville  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1877  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

Samuel  Donelly,  received  in  1874  from  Soutli  Carolina 
Presbytery;  died  in  1878. 

P.  M.  McKay*,  received  in  1874;   died  in  1875. 

S.  R.  Preston*,  received  in  1874  Lie.  from  Harmony 
Presbytery. 

W.  H.  Dodge*,  received  in  1874  Lie.  from  Macon  Pres- 
bytery. 

T.  T.  Johnson*,  received  in  1874  from  Toronto  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1875  to  Toronto  Presbytery. 

N.  M.  Long*,  received  in  1875  Lie.  from  Holston  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1878  to  Columbia  Presbytery. 

A.  H.  Mathes,  received  in  1876  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery;   died  in  1878. 

J.  C.  Sturgeon,  received  in  1876  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1878  to  East  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  H.  Myers,  D.  D.,  received  in  1876  from  North  River 
Presbytery. 

E.  H.  Briggs*,  received  in  1877  Lie.  from  Macon  Pres- 
bytery. 

N.  P.  Quarterman,  received  in  1877  from  Savannah 
Presbytery. 

R.  Henderson*,  received  in  1878;  dismissed  in  1880  to 
Harmony  Presbytery. 

A.  Duncan,  D.  D.,  received  in  1879  from  Schuyler  Pres- 
bytery. 

H.  R.  Raymond,  Jr.,  received  in  1880  from  Tuscaloosa 
Presbytery. 

D.  W.  Humphries,  received  in  1880  from  North  Mis- 
sissippi Presbytery. 

H.  Anderson,  received  in  1880  from  East  Hanover 
Presbytery. 

K.  P.  Julian,  received  in  1885  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;   died  in  1889. 

CHURCHES 

Tallahasee — Received  1841. 

Monticello — Received  1841. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     373 

Marianna — Received  1841. 

Quincy — Received  1841. 

Madison — Received  1841. 

Thomasville — Received  1842. 

Ft  Gaines— Received  1842. 

lamonia — Received  1844. 

First  Church  Lowndes  County — Received  1842. 

Manhattee — Received  1846,  dissolved  1853. 

Boston — Received  1851,  name  changed  to  Bethany  in 
1862. 

Greenfield   (ville) — Received  1855. 

Uchee  Valley — Received  1853. 

Bainbridge — Received   1853. 

Attapulgus — Received  1853. 

Currys  Church — Received  1853,  proper  name  (Damas- 
cus) dissolved  1862. 

St  Augustine — Received  1854. 

Jacksonville — Received  1854. 

Micanopy — Received  1854. 

Thomasville — Received  1854. 

Newport — Received  1855. 

Tampa — Received  1855. 

Palatka — Received  1856. 

Alligator — Received  1856. 

Orange  Springs — Received  1856. 

Little  River — Received  1858. 

Ocala — Received  1858. 

Fernandina — Received  1858. 

Hamilton— Received  1858. 

New  Providence — Received  1858. 

Kanapaha — Received  1859. 

Ocklocknee — Received  1859. 

Mineral  Springs — Received  1859,  dissolved  1862. 

Union — Received  1860. 

Houston — Received  1867. 

Quitman — Received  1867. 

Ocala— Received  1867. 

Suwanee — Received   1867. 

Oakland— Received  1867 


374     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Friendship — Received  1867. 
Valdosta— Received  1867. 
Bethlehem — Received  1867. 
Ellisville— Received  1869. 
Sumter — Received  1869. 
Gainesville — Received  1870. 
Silver  Lake — Received  1870. 
Live  Oak— Received  1870. 
Ebenezer — Received  1872. 
Leesburg — Received  1874. 
Enterprise — Received  1874. 
Cedar  Keys — Received  1876. 
Orlando— Received  1876. 
Freeport — Received  1876. 
Andrews  Memorial — Received  1877. 
New  Hope — Received  1877. 
Apopka — Received  1877. 
Mikesville — Received  1877. 
Magnolia  Springs — Received  1879. 
Waldo— Received  1879. 


PRESBYTERY  OF  ST  JOHNS. 

The  7th  Presbytery  set  up  by  the  Synod  of  Georgia  at 
its  meeting  at  Columbus  October,  1877,  held  its  first  meet- 
ing April,  1878,  and  organized  with  7  Ministers  and  11 
Churches,  viz: 

Ministers— W.  B.  Telford,  1877;  E.  H.  Briggs,  Edmund 
Lee,  Joseph  Brown,  dismissed  to  Brazos  Presbytery  1879; 
W.  H.  Dodge,  J.  H.  Myer,  A.  H.  Mathes,  died  1878;  John 
Daniel,  received  from  Holston  Presbytery;  dismissed  in 
1878  to  Holston  Presbytery  in  1879;  T.  M.  Smith,  received 
1880;    died,  1888. 

.  Churches — Jacksonville,  Andrews  Memorial,  Silver 
Lake,  Fernandina,  Palatka,  Appoka,  Leesburg,  Ocala,  En- 
terprise, Orange  Creek,  Orlando.  Two  churches  were  re- 
ceived in  1880 — Acron  and  Lake  Beresford. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IX  GEORGIA     375 

CHEROKEE  PRESBYTERY 
Set  up  1844. 
MINISTERS. 

Jam€s  Gamble;  received  from  Flint  River  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1843;   died  in  1867. 

N.  A.  Pratt,  received  from  Flint  River  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1843;  died  in  1879. 

I.  W.  Waddell,  received  from  Flint  River  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1843;   died  in  1849. 

A.  B.  McCorkle,  received  from  Flint  River  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1843  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery;  died 
in  1886. 

Richard  A.  Milner*,  received  in  1844  Lie.  from  Etowah 
Presbytery;   died  in  1855. 

Chas.  R.  Smith*,  received  in  1845;  dismissed  in  1845  to 
East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  M.  M.  Caldwell,  received  in  1845  from  Concord 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1866  to  Concord  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1870  from  Orange  Presbytery;   died  in  1892. 

W.  H.  Moore*,  received  in  1845  Lie.  from  Bethel  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1847  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

A.  Y.  Lockridge,  received  in  1846  from  Concord  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1876. 

Ben  DuPree,  received  in  1846  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1853  to  Flint  River  Presbytery; 
died  in  1866. 

W.  H.  Johnson*,  received  in  1846;  dismissed  in  1858  to 
Bethel  Presbytery;   died  in  1890. 

Chas.  S.  Dodd,  received  in  1847  from  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1850  to  Chickasaw  Presbytery. 

Jas.  McLin,  received  in  1847  from  Chattahoochee  N. 
S.,;  died  in  1849. 

J.  F.  Lanneau,  received  in  1849  from  Charleston  Pres- 
bytery. 

John  Jones,  received  in  1849  from  Georgia  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1855  to  Georgia  Jresbytery;  received  in  1857 
from  Georgia  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1866  to  Flnt  River 
Presbytery. 


376     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Wm.  Swift,  received  in  1849  from  Chattahoochee  N.  .S. 

T.  C.  Crawford*,  received  in  1850;  died  in  1885. 

A.  G.  Johnson*,  received  in  1850;  died  in  1902. 

J.  L.  Rogers*,  received  in  1851;  dismissed  in  1851  to 
Hopewell  Presbytery;  received  in  1852  from  Hopewell 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1855  to  Tuscambia  Presbytery; 
received  in  1857  from  Tuscambia  Presbytery;  dismissed 
in  1875  to  Atlanta  Presbytery;  died  in  1891. 

J.  E.  Du'Bose*,  received  in  1851;  dismissed  in  1854  to 
Flint  River  Presbytery, 

H.  C.  Carter,  received  in  1852  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1859  to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  died  in 
1869. 

Daniel  Engles,  received  in  1852  from  Flint  River  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1855. 

C.  M.  Shepperson,  received  in  1853  from  Lutheran 
Synod;   dismissed  in  1858  to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 

D.  F.  Smith*,  received  in  1854;  dismissed  in  1859  to 
East  Alabama  Presbytery;  received  in  1883  from  Holston 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1885  to  Knoxville  Presbytery. 

F.  R.  Goulding,  received  in  1854  from  Hopewell  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1858  to  Georgia  Presbytery;  received 
in  1872  from  Macon  Presbytery;  died  in  1881. 

G.  H.  W.  Petrie,  received  in  1854  from  Hopew-ell  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1857  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Baker,  received  in  1855  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1901. 

R.  M.  Baker,  received  in  1855  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1896. 

W.  B.  Telford,  received  in  1855  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1865  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

H.  B.  Pratt*,  received  in  1855  Lie.  from  New  Bruns- 
wick Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1862  to  Orange  Presbytery. 

T.  B.  Neil,  received  in  1856  from  Georgia  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1856  to  Orange  Presbytery. 

W.  P.  Harrison,  received  in  1857  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1861  to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 

T.  F.  Montgomery,  received  in  1857  from  Flint  River 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1858  to  Flint  River  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     377 

E.  P.  Palmer,  received  in  1858  from  Harmony  Presby' 
tery;  dismissed  in  1869  to  Red  River  Presbytery. 

J.  A.  Wallace,  received  in  1859  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1869  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

R.  P.  Taylor,  received  in  1859  from  Associated  Re- 
formed Pres.  Tenn.;  dismissed  in  1876  to  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; received  in  1884  from  Bethel  Presbytery;  died  in 
18^6. 

H.  Brown,  received  in  1859  from  Florida  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1866  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

T.  E.  Smith,  received  in  1863  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1866  to  Flint  River  Presbytery;  died  in 
1899. 

J.  H.  Kaufman,  receved  in  1866  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1866  to  Baltimore  Presbytery. 

E.  M.  Green*,  received  in  1866;  dismissed  in  1866  to 
Hopewell  Presbytery. 

R.  W.  Milner,  received  in  1866  from  Hopewell  Presby- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1873  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

S.  E.  Axson,  received  in  1866  from  Charleston  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1884. 

H.  C.  Carter,  received  in  1867  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  died  in  1870. 

R.  H.  Walton,  received  in  1867  from  Lexington  Pres- 
bytery;  connection  terminated  in  1870. 

D.  L.  Buttolph,  received  in  1867  from  Georgia  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1905. 

Robert  Logan,  received  in  1868  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1869  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

A.  W.  Gaston*,  received  in  1869  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;   died  in  1897. 

J.  L.  Milburn,  received  in  1871  from  Hiawassee 
(Cumb.)  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1874  to  Georgia  (Cumb.) 
Presbytery. 

A.  E.  Chandler,  received  in  1871  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1872  to  Knoxville  Presbytery. 

J.  G.  Lane*,  received  in  1872;  dismissed  in  1881  to 
North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

W.  A.  Milner*,  received  in  1873;   died  in  1897. 


378     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

J.  DeW.  Burkhead,  received  in  1874  from  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1879  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Hillhouse,  received  in  1874  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;   died  in  1887. 

J.  E.  Jones*,  received  in  1875;  dismissed  in  1890  to 
Central  Mississippi  Presbytery. 

S.  W.  Newell*,  received  in  1877  Lie.  from  Chickasaw 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1883  to  Western  District  Pres- 
bytery. 

T.  W.  Raymond*,  receiver  in  1883  Lie.  from  South 
Alabama  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1883  to  Western  Dis- 
trict Presbytery. 

I.  W.  Waddell*,  received  in  1881;  dismissed  in  1882  to 
Savannah  Presbytery;  received  in  1899  from  Athens  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1905  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

J.  J.  Robinson,  received  in  1884  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;   died  in  1895. 

R.  F.  Bunting,  received  in  1884  from  Brazos  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1885  to  Nashville  Presbytery. 

J.  S.  Hillhouse*,  received  in  1884;  dismissed  n  1893  to 
North  Mississippi  Presbytery. 

T.  S.  Johnson*,  received  in  1885;  dismissed  in  1892  to 
Paris  Presbytery. 

G.  T.  Goetchius,  received  in  1886  from  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1900. 

H.  C.  Brown,  received  in  1886  from  Potosi  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1890  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

Edward  Bailey*,  received  in  1886;  dismissed  in  1893 
to  Atlanta  Presbytery;  received  in  1896  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1900  to  Central  Texas  Presbytery. 

C.  Fraser*,  received  in  1888  Lie.  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1889  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

W.  E.  Baker,  received  in  1888  from  Lexington  Pres- 
bytery;   died  in  1905. 

H.  K.  Walker,  received  in  1889  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1891  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

W.  W.  Brimm,  received  in  1889  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     379 

M.  A.  Matthews,  received  in  1890  from  Georgia  (Cum.) 
Presbytery. 

G.  F.  Robertson,  received  in  1891  from  Holston  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1892  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

M.  W.  Doggett,  received  in  1892  from  Abingdon  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1894  to  Dallas  Presbytery. 

J.  H.  Patton,  received  in  1892  from  North  ^Alabama 
Presbytery. 

W.  A.  Nisbet,  received  in  1892  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1894  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

W.  L.  Harrell*,  received  in  1892;  dismissed  in  1895  to 
Orange  Presbytery. 

R.  P.  Baird*,  received  in  1892  Lie.  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;    dismissed  to  Brazil  in  1895;   died  in  1909. 

E.  D.  McDougal*,  received  in  1893  Cand.  Paducah 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1896  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

C.  B.  Berryhill,  received  in  1894  Cand.  Western  Dis- 
trict Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1899  to  Central  Texas  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  S.  Hamiter,  received  in  1895  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1898  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

W.  S.  Wallace,  received  in  1896  from  Suwanee  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1900  to  Boston  Presbytery. 

M.  D.  Smith,  received  in  1896  from  M.  E.  Church,  South 

W.  H.  Darnall,  received  in  1896  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

J.  M.  Mecklin*,  received  in  1896  Cand.  Central  Mis- 
sissippi Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  Presbyterian 
Church,  U.  S.  A. 

G.  T.  Bourne,  received  in  1896  from  Western  District 
Presbytery. 

W.  F.  Hollingsworth,  received  in  1897  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1898  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

B.  R.  Anderson,  received  in  1897  from  Enoree  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1903  to  Mobile  Presbytery. 

C.  B.  MeLeod,  received  in  1898  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

E.  M.  Craig,  received  in  1898  from  Macon  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1901  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 


380     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

W.  L.  Lingle,  received  in  1898  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1902  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

R.  H.  Rusk,  received  in  1900  from  Charleston  Presby 
tery. 

C.  O'X.  Martindale,  received  in  1900  from  East  Ala- 
bama Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

H.  E.  McClure,  received  in  1900  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1902  to  Tombeckbee  Presbytery. 

John  Milner*,  received  in  1900  Lie.  from  North  Ala- 
bama Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1903  to  North  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

Wm.  Goddard,  received  in  1900  Cand.  from  Nashville 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1904  to  Dallas  Presbytery. 

D.  W.  Hollingsworth*,  received  in  1901  Lie.  from  East 
Alabama  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1902  to  Abingdon  Pres- 
bytery. 

A.  D.  P.  Gilmore,*  received  in  1901  Lie.  from  E.  Hano- 
ver Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1901  to  Holston  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Ficklen,*  received  in  1901  Lie.  from  Montgomery 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1904  to  Atlanca  Presbytery. 

G.  G.  Sydnor,  received  in  1901  from  Augusta  Presbytery. 

H.  C.  White,  received  in  1902  from  Kansas  City  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1901  to  Union  Presbytery,  U.  S.  A. 

L.  A.  Simpson,  received  in  1902  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1903  to  Athens  Presbytery. 

W.  R.  McCalla,  received  in  1902  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1905  to  Tombeckbee  Presbytery. 

Asahel  Enloe,  received  in  1901  from  St.  Johns  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1904. 

F.  L.  McFadden*,  received  in  1902  Lie.  from  Memphis 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1904  to  Meridian  Presbytery. 

S.  W.  DuBose*,  received  in  1902;  dismissed  in  1903 
to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

H.  B.  Searight*,  received  in  1902;  dismissed  in  1908  to 
Albermarle  Presbytery. 

E.  W.  Way,  received  in  1903  from  Suwanee  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1907  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

G.  W.  Tollett,  received  in  1904  from  Florida  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1905  to  Nashville  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     381 

W.  A.  Cleveland,  received  in  1904  from  Columbia 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1909  to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery 

N.  B.  Mathes,  received  in  1905  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1908  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

R.  S.  Burwell,  received  in  1905  from  Nashville  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

A.  E.  Spencer*,  received  in  1905;  dismissed  in  1907  to 
Red  River  Presbytery. 

K.  P.  Simmons,  received  in  1905  from  Abingdon  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1908  to  St.  Clairsville  Presbytery,  U. 
S.  A. 

Wm.  N.  Sholl*,  received  in  1906;  dismissed  in  1908  to 
Boise  Presbytery,  U.  S.  A. 

C.  B.  Ratchford,  received  in  1906  from  Transylvania 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1908  to  Concord  Presbytery. 

F.  K.  Sims,  received  in  1907  from  Mobile  Presbytery. 

W.  W.  Powell,  received  in  1907  from  W.  Lexington 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1910  to  Mangum  Presbytery. 

R.  H.  Orr,  received  in  1907  from  Albemarle  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

Jonas  Barclay,  received  in  1908  from  Enoree  Pres- 
bytery. 

B.  F.  Guille,  received  in  1908  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery. 

E.  D.  Patton,  received  in  1908  from  Nashville  Pres- 
bytery. 

J.  T.  Wade,  received  in  1909  from  Athens  Presbytery. 

J.  C.  Hardin,  received  in  1909  from  Durant  Presbytery. 

R.  C.  McRoy,  received  in  1909  from  Dallas  Presbytery. 

J.  C.  Clarke*,  received  in  1909. 

L.  W.  Mathews*,  received  in  1909. 

L.  G.  Hames,  received  in  1910  from  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery. 

E.  A.  Thomas,  received  in  1911  from  Ebenezer  Pres- 
bytery. 

CHURCHES. 
Lafayette. 
Roswell. 
Marietta. 


382     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Pleasant  Green,  dissolved  1861. 

Mars  Hill. 

Hickory  Flat. 

Walnut  Grove. 

Sardis. 

Sweet  Water,  dropped  1848. 

Chickamauga. 

Dahlonega,  transferred  to  Athens  Pres.  1867. 

Cummin,  dissolved  1859. 

Rome — Received  1846. 

Peavine — Received  1846,  dissolved  1857. 

Friendship — Received  1847. 

Armuchee — Received  1847,  merged  into  Bethel  1880. 

Cassville — Received  1847,  name  changed  to  Manassas 
1862;   dissolved  1870;   restored  1871;   dissolved  1872. 

Dalton — Received  1847. 

Hightower — Received  1847. 

Bethel— Received  1848,  near  Dirttown,,  S.  E.  of  Sum- 
merville. 

Harmony — Received  1848,  dissolved  1877. 

Mt.  Zion— Received  1848,  dropped  1849. 

Cedar  Branch — Received  1848,  dissolved  1849. 

Concord — Received  1849,  received  from  New  School; 
dissolved  1867. 

Carthage — Received  1850,  name  changed  to  Hickory 
Flat,  1885. 

Summerville — Received  1850. 

Canton — Received  1850,,  merged  into  Carthage  1866, 
reorganized  1891. 

Midway — Received  1850. 

Adairsville — Received  1850;  reorganized  1858,  and 
again  1883. 

Resaca— Received  1850,  dissolved  1868. 

Calhoun — Received  1852,  dissolved  1867;  reorganized 
1874. 

Chattoogata— Received  1852,  merged  into  Tunnel  Hill 
1859. 

New  Lebanon— Received  1852,  dissolved  1874. 

Euharlee — Received  1854. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     383 

Hopewell — Received  1854,  merged  into  Resaca  1859. 

Floyd  Springs — Received  1854,  dissolved  1870;  reor- 
ganized 1874;   dissolved  1883. 

Alpine — Received  1855. 

Kingston — Received   1855,  dissolved   1874. 

Beersheba — Received  1855. 

Nazareth — Received  1855,   dissolved  1867. 

Dallas— Received  1856,  dissolved  1860. 

Tunnel  Hill— Received  1858. 

Spring  Place — Received   1867,  reorganized. 

Red  Clay — Received  1868,  name  changed  to  Cohutta 
1891. 

Bethesda — Received   1869. 

Talking  Rock — Received  186B,  received  from  New 
School;   dropped  from  roll  1897. 

Sonora— Received  1870,  dissolved  1890. 

Cave  Spring — Received  1871. 

Van  Wert— Received  1871. 

Shiloh — Received  1872,  dissolved  1875. 

Cedar  Valley — Received  1873.  Name  Cedartown  1854- 
1857;  Cedar  Valley  1857-1870  when  dissolved;  reorganized 
1873;  name  again  changed  to  Cedartown  1886. 

Smyrna — Received  1874. 

Silver  Creek — Received  1875,  name  changed  to  Lindale 
1897. 

South  Rome — Received  1882,  name  changed  to  Rome 
2nd  1893. 

Acworth — Received  1882. 

Blairsville — Received  1883,  transferred  from  Athens 
Presbytery. 

Brasstown — Received  1883,  transferred  from  Athens 
Presbytery. 

Austell — Received  1891,  transferred  to  Atlanta  Pres. 
1891. 

Salem— Received  1895,  name  changed  to  Milner  Mem- 
orial 1895. 

Blue  Spring — Received  1895. 

Powder  Spring — Received  1898. 

Woodstock — Received  1900. 


384     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Ellijay— Received  1903. 
Blue  Ridge— Received  1903. 
Ringgold — Received  1906. 
Chicamauga — Received  1911. 


PRESBYTERY  OF  MACON. 

Set  up  1866. 
MINISTERS. 

J.  C  McCain,  received  in  1869  from  West  Texas  Pres- 
bytery. 

J.  N.  Bradshaw,  received  in  1871  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery. 

Homer  Hendee,  received  in  1869  from  Augusta  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1881. 

H.  F.  Hoyt,  received  in  1871  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1879. 

F.  R.  Goulding,  received  in  1868  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1881. 

J.  L.  King,  received  in  1871  from  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

C.  P.  B.  Martin,  received  in  1875  from  Brazos  Presby- 
tery. 

L.  H.  Wilson,  received  in  1866. 

David  Wills,  received  in  1875  from  Washington  City 
Presbytery. 

T.  E.  Smith,  received  in  1868  from  Cherokee  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  A.  Hall,  received  in  1869  from  Red  River  Presby- 
tery. 

S.  S.  Gaillard,  received  in  1868  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  1875  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

J.  R.  Mcintosh,  received  in  1868  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  died  in  1881. 

S.  H.  Higgins,  received  in  1867;  dismissed  in  1867. 

E.  D.  Eldridge,  received  in  1867;  dismissed  in  1867. 

G.  H.  Coit,  received  in  1867;  dismissed  in  1867. 

J.  H.  Nail,  received  in  1868  from  East  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1879  New  Orleans  Presbytery. 

J.  S.  Cosby,  received  in  1869  from  the  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1873  to  Harmony  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     385 

A.  H.  Mathes,  received  in  1869  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1872  to  Florida  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1874  from  Florida  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1876 
to  Florida  Presbytery. 

Wm.  McKay,  received  in  1869. 

G.  W.  Maxson*,  received  in  1871  Lie.  from  Louisville 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1878  to  TCnst  Alabama  Presbytery. 

G.  T.  Goetchius*,  received  in  1871  Lie.  from  Augusta 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1873  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

J.  S.  White*,  received  in  1872  Lie.  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1874  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

A.  W.  Clisby,  received  in  1873  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1892  to  Savannah  Presbytery;  died  in 
1903. 

R.  A.  Mickle,  received  in  1874  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1876  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

J,  T.  McBride,  received  in  1874  from  South  Alabama 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1879  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

John  Beveridge,  received  in  1876  from  Cincinnati 
Presbytery;   died  in  1882. 

T.  R.  English,  received  in  1877  Lie.  from  Harmony 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1880  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

A.  E.  Chandler,  received  in  1878  from  Concord  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1882  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

G.  T.  Chandler,  received  in  1879;  dismissed  in  1890 
to  Nashville  Presbytery. 

L.  H.  Wilson,  received  in  1880  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1882  to  East  Texas  Presbyteiy. 

J.  W.  Kerr,  received  in  1880  from  Mississippi  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1881  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

R.  P.  Kerr,  received  in  1880  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1881  to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

W.  A.  Carter,  received  in  1881  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1883  to  East  Hanover  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  V.  Worsham,  received  in  1881  from  Potosi  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1882  to  Paducah  Presbytery. 

Z.  B.  Graves,  received  in  1881  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1883  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 


386     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

M.  C.  Britt,  received  in  1883  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1886  to  Enoree  Presbytery. 

I.  W.  Waddell,  received  in  1886  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1892  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

B.  D.  D.  Grier,  received  in  1886  from  South  Alabama 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1887  to  Dallas  Presbytery. 

Robert  Adams,  received  in  1887  from  Augusta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1895  to  Enoree  Presbytery. 

W.  B.  Jennings,  received  in  1887  from  Bethel  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1895  to  Louisville  Presbytery. 

Alex  Kirkland,  received  in  1887  from  Wilmington  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1904;   died  in  1910. 

S.  L.  Morris,  received  in  1890  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery. 

W.  W.  Elwang,  received  in  1891  from  New  Orleans 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1892  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

C.  H.  Hyde*,  received  in  1891  Lie.  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1904. 

E.  D.  Covington*,  colored,  received  in  1891  Lie.  from 
Tuscaloosa  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1895  to  Central  Ala- 
bama Presbytery. 

W.  W.  Brimm,  received  in  1892  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1895  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

G.  W.  Bull*,  received  in  1892  Lie.  from  East  Hanover 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1894  to  South  Alabama  Presbytery. 

H.  G.  Griswold*,  received  in  1895;  dismissed  in  1900 
to  Savannah  Presbytery;   died  in  1905. 

R.  R.  White,  received  in  1895  from  Winchester  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1901  to  New  York  Presbytery. 

E.  M.  Craig,  received  in  1896  from  Roanoke  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1898  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

D.  G.  Armstrong,  received  in  1896  from  Rio  de  Jane- 
rio  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1897  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

M.  McGillivry,  received  in  1897  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1899  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

L.  G.  Henderson*,  received  in  1897;  dismissed  in  1902 
to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

J.  P.  Word,  received  in  1898;  dismissed  in  1899  to 
North  Alabama  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     387 

E.  D.  McDougal,  received  in  1898;  dismissed  in  1902 
to  Xortli  Alabama  Presbytery. 

R.  O.  Flinn,  received  in  1898  from  Atlanta  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1899  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

H.  T.  Darnall,  received  in  1898  from  Norfolk  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1903  to  Harmony  Presbytery;  died  in  1908. 

W.  R.  Owings,  received  in  1898;  died  in  1905. 

W.  F.  Strickland*,  received  in  1898  Lie.  from  South 
Carolina  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  South  Carolina 
Presbytery. 

J.  C.  Tims,  received  in  1898  Lie.  from  Central  Mis- 
sissippi Presbytery;  dismissed  1899  to  Suwanee  Presby- 
tery; received  in  1902  from  Suwanee  Presbytery;  dis- 
missed in  1907  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

C.  R.  Nisbet,  received  in  1898  Lie.  from  Athens  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1900  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

G.  A.  Hough,  received  in  1899  from  Mecklenburg 
Presbytery. 

L.  T.  Way,  received  in  1899  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery; divested  of  oflSce  without  censure  in  1901. 

F.  D.  Jones,  received  in  1900  Lie.  from  Bethel  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1901  to  Charleston  Presbytery. 

K.  L.  Mclver,  received  in  1901  Lie.  from  Fayetteville 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1904  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

I.  M.  Auld,  received  in  1901  from  St.  Johns  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1902  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

R.  W.  Alexander,  received  in  1901  from  Fayetteville 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1902   to  Albermarle  Presbytery. 

W.  H.  Eraser,  received  in  1902  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1906  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Quarterman,  received  in  1902  from  Savannah 
Presbytery. 

R.  E.  Douglas,  received  in  1902  from  West  Lexington 
Presbytery. 

W.  H.  McMeen,  received  in  1902  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1908  to  Harmony  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1910  from  Harmony  Presbytery. 

Fred  Perkins,  received  in  1903  from  Binghampton 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1905  Classis  D.  Ref. 


388     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

J.  L.  Irvin,  received  in  1903  from  Ebenezer  Presby- 
tery;   dismissed  in  1910  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

A.  McLaughlin,  received  in  1903  from  Fayetteville 
Presbytery. 

S.  L.  McCarty,  received  in  1903  from  Florida  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  O.  Stephen,  received  in  1903  from  Meridian  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1910  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

W.  H.  Zeigler,  received  in  1903  from  West  Lexington 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1907  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

R.  D.  Stimson,  received  in  1903  from  Mecklenburg 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Atlanta  Presbytery; 
died  in  1910. 

W.  E.  Phifer*,  received  in  1903  Lie.  from  Concord 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1905  to  Mississippi  Presbytery. 

E.  B.  Witherspoon,  received  in  1904  from  Brownwood 
Presbytery;    dismissed  in  1910  to  Meridian  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Atwood,  received  in  1904  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1904  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  W.  Stokes,  received  in  1904  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1909  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

Luther  Link,  received  in  1904  from  St.  Louis  Presby- 
tery. 

E.  S.  McFadden*,  ordained  in  1905;   died  in  1909. 

W.  H.  Dodge,  received  in  1905  from  Transylvania  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1907  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

W.  C.  Hagan,  received  in  1905  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1907  to  Dallas  Presbytery. 

I.  S.  McElroy,  received  in  1905  from  West  Lexington 
Presbytery. 

J.  H.  Taylor,  received  in  1905  from  Louisville  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1907  to  Chesapeake  Presbytery. 

J.  M.  W.  Elder,  received  in  1906  from  Roanoke  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1907  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

G.  T.  Bourne,  received  in  1906  from  Cherokee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1909  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

D.  N.  McLaughlin,  received  in  1906  from  FayetteviUe 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Central  Texas  Presby- 
tery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IX  GEORGIA     389 

T.  R.  Best,  received  in  1907  from  Arkansas  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1908  to  Transylvania  Presbytery. 

J.  S.  Kennison,  received  in  1907  from  West  Texas 
Presbytery;    dismissed   in   1910   to   Greenbrier   Presbytery. 

J.  L.  Brownlee,  received  in  1907  from  Tuscaloosa 
Presbyter'y. 

S.  W.  DuBose,  received  in  1907  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1911  to  Athens  Presbytery. 

J.  G.  Venable,  received  in  1907  from  Lafayette  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1911  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

G.  E.  Fogartie,  received  in  1907  from  Muhlenburg  Pres- 
bytery. 

B.  R.  Anderson,  received  in  1908  from  Florida  Pres- 
bytery. 

C.  P.  Coble,  received  in  1908  from  Pee  dee  Presby- 
tery. 

C.  A.  Campbell,  received  in  1908  from  Asheville  Pres- 
bytery. 

R.  G.  Newsome,  received  in  1909  from  Nashville  Pres- 
bytery. 

C.  M.  Chumbley,  received  in  1910  from  E.  Hanover 
Presbytery. 

J.  E.  Ward,  received  in  1910  from  East  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery. 

C.  B.  Currie,  received  in  1910  from  Muhlenburg  Pres- 
bytery. 

W.  S.  Harden,  received  in  1910  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery. 

H.  C.  Ray*,  received  in  1910  from  Central  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

Wm.  McKay,  Jr.,*  received  in  1910. 

S.  E.  Crosby*,  received  in  1910  from  Mobile  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1911  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

S.  G.  Hutton,  received  in  1911  from  Palmyra  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  W.  Stokes,  received  in  1911  from  St.  Johns  Pres- 
bytery. 

G.  W.  Tollet't,  received  in  1911  from  Nashville  Pres- 
bytery. 


390     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

CHURCHES. 

Ft  Gaines. 

Lumpkin,  dropped  from  roll  1891. 

Cuthbert. 

Pachitla,  changed  to  Whitney  1872. 

Americus. 

Mt  Tabor. 

Albany. 

New  Hopewell,  dissolved  1872. 

Perry. 

Mt  Zion,  dissolved  1875. 

Muscogee,  dissolved  1900. 

Smyrna   (New). 

Ephesus. 

Macon. 

Emmaus,  dissolved  1870. 

Columbus. 

Newton — Received  1867. 

Bethesda — Received  1867,  Bibb  County,  dissolved. 

Hamilton — Received  1867,  reorganized  1873;  dropped 
from  roll  1891. 

Forsyth— Received  1867. 

Jackson — Received  1867. 

Dawson — Received  1872,  dissolved  1877,  reorganized, 
1889  and  1901. 

Ft  Valley— Received  187C 

Wootten  Station — Received  1873,  changed  to  Lees- 
burg. 

Geneva — Received  1874. 

Hawkinsville Received  1877. 

Eastman — Received  1877. 

Camilla— Received  1880. 

Macon  2nd — Received  1887,  changed  to  Tattnall 
Square  1892. 

Hicksville  (Col)— Received  1890. 

Cordele— Received   1891. 

Smithville— Received  1891. 

Pleasant  Hill— Received  1892. 

■  Rochelle— Received  1892. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     391 

Talbotton— Received  1893,  dissolved  1897. 
Rose  Hill— Received  1897. 
Poulan— Received  18^. 
Moultrie— Received  1898. 
Quitman — Received   1898. 

Mt  Horeb — Received  1898,  changed  to  Morven  1900. 
Bethany — Received  1898. 
Thomasville— Received  1898. 
Cairo— Received  1898. 
Climax— Received  1898. 
Faceville— Received  1898. 
Pleasant  Grove — Received  1898. 
Bainbrtdge— Received  1898. 

Dublin — Received    1898,    changed    to    Henry    Memorial 
1902. 

Danolsonville — Received  1898, 
Butler— Received  1901. 
Pelham— Received   1903. 
Vineville — Received  1904, 
Blakely— Received  1905. 
East  Macon — Received  1906, 
Mantezuma — Received  1910. 
South  Macon — Received  1910. 


AUGUSTA  PRESBYTERY 
Set  up  1867 
MINISTERS. 
Original  Members:    S.   S.   Davis,   died   1877;    C.   P.   Be- 
man,  D.  D,,  died  1875;  Henry  Safford,  Henry  Newton,  G.  H. 
Cartledge,  died  1899;  Wm.  Flinn,  C.  W.  Lane,  J.  R.  Wilson, 
R,  A,  Houston,  died  1869;   James  Woodrow,  died  1907;    F. 
T.  Simpson,  died  1906;   J.  B.  Dunwody,  J.  J.  Robinson,  T. 
P.   Cleveland,   E.   M.   Green,  J.   D.   Burkhead,   dismissed  to 
Cherokee  Presbytery  in  1873;  P.  C.  Morton,  F.  Jacobs — 18. 
Momer  Hendee,  received  in  1869  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1871  to  Louisville  Presbytery. 

Robt,  Irvine,  received  in  1871  from  Hamilton,  Canada, 
Presbytery;  died  in  1881. 


392     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Wm.  LeConte*,  received  in  1872;  dismissed  in  1872  to 
Sao  Paulo  Presbytery;  died  in  1876. 

W.  S.  Bean*,  received  in  1813;  dismissed  in  1884  to 
Harmony  Presbytery. 

G.  T.  Goetchius,  received  in  1873  from  Macon  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1885  to  Cherokee  Presbytery;  died  in 
1900. 

R.  W.  Milner,  received  in  1873  from  Clierokee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1881  to  Atlanta  Presbytery;  died  1889. 

W.  P.  Gready,  received  in  1873  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1880  to  Athens  Presbytery;  died 
in  1882. 

Jos.  Washburn*,  received  in  1878;  dismissed  in  1876 
to  Savannah  Presbytery. 

R.  C.  Smith,  received  in  1873  from  East  Alabama  Pres- 
bytery (Unused  Certificate)  dismissed  to  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery; died  in  1874. 

J.  B.  Morton*,  received  in  1874;  dismissed  in  1879  to 
Athens  Presbytery  (Division) ;  received  in  1885  from  Ath- 
ens Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1887  to  St.  Johns  Presby- 
tery. 

P.  P.  Mullally  received  in  1875  from  Ebenezer  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1877  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

O.  P.  Pitzsimmons*,  received  in  1875;  divested  of 
office  in  1883. 

R.  N.  Smith*,  received  in  1875;  dismissed  in  1877  to 
Eastern  Texas  Presbytery. 

W.  H.  Davis,  received  in  1876  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1885  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  C.  Grow,  received  in  1879  from  Florida  Presbytery-; 
dismissed  to  Brownwood  Presbytery;  died  in  1903. 

D.  McQueen*,  received  in  1880;  dismissed  in  1892  to 
North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

John  Jones,  received  in  1880  from  Atlanta  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1886  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

N.  H.  Smith,  received  in  1881  from  Platte  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1882  to  Athens  Presbytery. 

A.  M.  Hassell,  reecived  in  1881  from  Harmony  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1885  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     393 

Wm.  Adams,  received  in  1882  from  Louisville  U.  S.  A. 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1889  to  Boston  Presbytery. 

N.  Kefif  Smith,  received  in  1884  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1885  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

A.  S.  Doak,  received  in  1885  from  Central  Texas  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1888  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

J.  D.  A.  Brown,  received  in  1885  from  Charleston 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1892  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

Robt.  Adams*,  received  in  1886;  dismissed  in  1887  to 
Macon  Presbytery, 

T.  M.  Lowry,  received  in  1886  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1896  to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery. 

M.  C.  Britt,  received  in  1889  from  Enoree  Presbytery. 

Samuel  Scott,  received  in  1889  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1890. 

R.  L.  Fulton,  received  in  1889  from  Savannah  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1892  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

J.  T.  Plunkett,  received  in  1890  from  Detroit  U.  S.  A. 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1909  to  North  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. 

E.  G.  Smith,  received  in  1891  from  Pee  Dee  Presby- 
tery;   died  in  1910. 

W.  K.  Boggs,  received  in  1891  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1893  to  Bethel  Presbytery. 

J.  K.  Smith,  received  in  1892  from  Atlanta  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1895  to  Transylvania  Presbytery. 

N.  M.  Plowden,  received  in  1893  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1894  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

J.  F.  Pharr,  received  in  1893  from  Pine  Bluff  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1894  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

D.  W.  Brannen*,  received  in  1893. 

T.  D.  Cartledge,  received  in  1895  from  Athens  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  1902  to  Athens  Presbytery. 

S.  J.  Cartledge,  received  in  1895  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

T.  P.  Burgess,  received  in  1895  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1899  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

B.  M.  Shive,  received  in  1896  from  Columbia  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1898  to  Transylvania  Presbytery. 


394     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

G.  G.  Sydnor,  received  in  1898  from  Montgomery  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1901  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

J.  P.  Anderson,  received  in  1899  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1902  to  Tuscaloosa  Presbytery. 

A.  L.  Whitfield;  received  in  1899  from  Marshall 
(Cumb.)  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1902  to  Oklahoma  Pres- 
bytery. 

D,  S.  McAlister,  received  in  1901  from  Enoree  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1907  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

H.  W.  Burwell,  received  in  1901  from  Pee  dee  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1904  to  New  Orleans  Presbytery. 

M.  E.  Peabody*,  received  in  1901;  dismissed  in  1906 
to  Athens  Presbytery. 

C.  I.  Stacy*,  received  in  1902;  dismissed  in  1906  to 
Athens  Presbytery. 

P.  S.  Rhodes*,  received  in  1903;  dismissed  in  1904  to 
East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

W.  Lee  Harrell,  received  in  1904  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; died  in  1906. 

J.  W.  Lafferty,  reecived  in  1904;  dismissed  in  1906  to 
Concord  Presbytery. 

D.  M.  Stockard,  received  in  1905  from  Western  Dis- 
trict Presbytery. 

R.  E.  Telford,  received  in  1906  from  Durant  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1910  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

J.  A.  Thompson,  received  1906  from  West  Lexington 
Presbytery;   dismissed  1910  to  Holston  Presbytery. 

J.  S.  Montgomery,  received  in  1906  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1911  to  Montgomery  Presbytery. 

J.  B.  Hillhouse,  received  in  1906  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1907  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

D.  N.  Yarbro,  received  in  1907  from  Nashville  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1910  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

Jas.  L.  Martin,  reecived  in  1907  from  Suwanee  Pres- 
bytery. 

A.  L.  Johnson,  received  in  1907  from  Greenbrier  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1909  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

Geo.  N.  Howerton,  received  in  1907  from  Harmony 
Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     395 

Jno.  F.  Math€son,  received  in  1908  from  Soutli  Caro- 
lina Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1911  to  Enoree  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  T.  Plunket,  received  in  1907  from  North  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

Geo.  F.  Mason,  received  in  1910  from  Knoxville  Pres- 
bytery. 

Jos.  R.  Sevier,  received  in  1911  from  Chesapeake  Pres- 
bytery. 

L.  A.  Simpson,  received  in  1911  from  Athens  Presby- 
tery. 

A.  M.  Lewis,  received  in  1911  from  Chicago  Presby- 
tery. 

E.  P.  Mickle,  D.  D.,  received  in  1911  from  Florida 
Presbytery. 

CHURCHES. 

Bethany. 

Mt  Zion,  transferred  to  Sparta  1903. 

Woodstock. 

Pleasant  Grove,  dissolved  1871. 

Milledgeville. 

Greensboro. 

Augusta. 

Sparta. 

Madison. 

Monticello. 

Washington. 

Waynesboro. 

Bath. 

Eatonton. 

Lincolnton. 

Union  Point — Received  1872. 

Penfield— Received  1877. 

Augusta  2nd— Received  1879;  now  Groene  Street. 

Crawfordville — Received  1880. 

Sibley— Received  1891. 

Hastings— Received  1895,  changed  to  Siloam  1903. 

Lexington— Received  1906,  received  from  Athens  Pres- 
bytery. 


396     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Gough— Received  1907. 

Mt  Olive— Received  1909. 

Poplar  Springs — Received  1909. 

Millen— Received  1910. 

Sandersville — Received  1910. 

Sylvania — Received  1910. 

Thomson — Received  1910. 

PRESBYTERY  OF  ATHENS. 
Set  off  1880. 
MINISTERS. 

J.  R.  Baird;  died  1900. 

G.  H.  Cartledge;  died  1899. 

T.  P.  Cleveland;  dismissed  in  1885  to  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  P.  Gready;  died  in  1882. 

J.  C.  Grow;  dismissed  in  1886  to  Paris  Presbytery;  died 
in  1903. 

C.  W.  Lane;  died  in  1896. 

R.  W.  Milner;  dismissed  in  1884  to  Tuscaloosa  Pres- 
bytery. 

J.  B.  Morton;  dismissed  in  1883  to  Augusta  Presby- 
tery. 

The  above  were  the  original  members. 

Jos.  Washburn,  received  in  1881  from  Savannah  Pres- 
bytery;   dismissed  in  1881  to  Ouichita  Presbytery. 

Z.  B.  Graves,  received  in  1881  from  Western  Texas 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1882  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

N.  H.  Smith,  received  in  1882  from  Augusta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1884  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

E.  P.  Mickle*,  received  in  1882;  dismissed  in  1883  to 
West  Lexington  Presbytery. 

H.  F.  Hoyt,  received  in  1883  from  Macon  Presbytery; 
died  1912. 

L.  A.  Simpson*,  received  1884  Lie.  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1902  to  Cherokee  Presbytery;  re- 
ceived in  1904  from  Cherokee  Presbytery;  dismissed  in 
1911  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

J.  L.  Stevens,  received  in  1885;  died  in  1901. 

C.  A.  Baker,  received  in  1885  from  East  Alabama  Pres- 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     397 

bytery;   dismissed  in  1886  to  East  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  L.  Cartledge*,  received  in  1886;  died  in  1910. 

J.  H.  Dixon,  received  in  1887  from  Lousville  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1889  to  Harmony  Presbytery. 

W.  F.  Wallace,  received  in  1888  from  St.  Johns  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1889  to  Enoree  Presbytery. 

W.  C.  C.  Foster*,  received  in  1888;  dismissed  in  1889 
to  Mecklenburg  Presbytery. 

S.  J.  Cartledge*,  received  in  1889;  dismissed  in  1895 
to  Augusta  Presbytery;  received  1911  from  Bethel  Pres- 
bytery. 

E.  P.  Burns,  colored*,  received  in  1889;  name  dropped 
in  1898. 

T.  D.  Cartledge*,  received  in  1890;  dismissed 'in  1894 
to  Augusta  Presbytery;  received  in  1902  from  the  Augusta 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1905  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery. 

Henry  Newton,  received  in  1891  from  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery. 

R.  E.  Telford*,  received  in  1891;  dismissed  in  1903 
to  Indian  Presbytery. 

W.  E.  Boggs,  received  in  1892  from  Memphis  Presby- 
tery;  dismissed  in  1901  to  Suwanee  Presbytery. 

W.  O.  Phillips,  received  in  1892  from  Parkersburg 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1895  to  Congregational  Church. 

H.  S.  Allyn*,  received  in  1893;  dismissed  in  1896  to 
Rio  Janerio  Presbytery. 

I.  W.  Waddell,  received  in  1894  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1899  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

H.  C.  Fennell,  received  in  1895  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1896  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  A.  Young*,  received  in  1895  Lie.  from  Atlanta  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1900.. 

T.  Thompson,  colored*,  received  in  1895. 

W.  L.  Barber*,  received  in  1896;  dismissed  in  1903  to 
Lafayette  Presbytery;  received  1906  from  Lafayette  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  1911  to  Atlanta  Presbytery. 

J.    W.    Walden,    received    in    1897    from    New    Orleans 


398     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1908  to  Florida  Presbytery. 

S.  W.  Wilson,  received  in  1897  from  South  Carolina 
Presljytery;  dismissed  in  1889  to  South  Carolina  Presby- 
tery. 

W.  Lee  Harrell,  received  in  1897  from  Orange  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1901  to  Atlanta  Presbytery;  died  in 
1906. 

J.  J.  Harrell,  received  in  1897  from  Muhlenburg  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1899  to  Muhlenburg  Presbytery. 

S.  J.  Morrow,  colored,  received  in  1897  from  Asheville 
Presbytery;   dismissed  in  1899  to  Catawba  Presbytery. 

F.  D.  Thomas,  received  in  1899  from  Albermarle  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1904  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

R.  N.  Abraham,  received  in  1899  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery. 

J.  A.  Black*,  received  in  1900;  dismissed  in  1903  to 
South  Carolina  Presbytery. 

W.  F.  Tims,  received  in  1902  from  Central  Mississippi 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1904  to  Central  Mississippi  Pres- 
bytery. 

D.  J.  Blackwell,  received  in  1902  from  South  Carolina 
Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1907  to  East  Alabama  Presby- 
tery. 

T.  M.  McConnell,  received  in  1903  from  Enoree  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1905  to  Harmony  Presbytery. 

J.  T.  McBride  received  in  1904  from  Enoree  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1905  to  Knoxville  Presbytery. 

J.  E.  Stevenson,  received  in  1904  from  Harmony  Pres- 
bytery;  died  in  1905. 

J.  T.  Wade,  received  in  1904  from  South  Carolina  Pres- 
bytery;  dismissed  in  1909  to  Cherokee  Presbytery. 

C.  I.  Stacy,  received  in  1905  from  Augusta  Presby- 
tery. 

T.  J.  Ponder,  received  in  1905  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

C.  C.  Carson*,  received  in  1905;  dismissed  in  1905  to 
Durant  Presbytery. 

M.  E.  Peabody,  received  in  1906  from  Augusta  Pres- 
bytery; dismissed  in  1909  to  South  Carolina  Presbytery. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     399 

E.  L.  Hill,  rec-eieved  in  1907  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

J.  F.  Pharr*,  received  in  1908  Can.  Altanta  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1892  to  Pine  Bluff  Presbytery;  received  in 
1892  from  Pine  Bluff  Presbytery;  dismissed  in  1894  to 
Atlanta  Presbytery;  received  in  1903  from  Enoree  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1908  to  North  Alabama  Presbytery. 

J.  D.  McPhail*,  received  in  1908. 

J.  K.  Coit,  received  in  1909  from  Bethel  Presbytery. 

C.  H.  Ferran,  received  in  1909  from  Suwanee  Presby- 
tery; dismissed  in  1909  to  St.  Johns  Presbytery. 

E.  L.  Slier,  received  in  1910  from  Orange  Presbytery; 
dismissed  in  1910  to  Asheville  Presbytery. 

Geo.  M.  Telford,  received  in  1910  from  East  Hanover 
Presbytery. 

J.  R.  McAlpine,  received  in  1910  from  East  Alabama 
Presbytery. 

T.  H.  Newkirk,  received  in  1910  from  Atlanta  Presby- 
tery. 

S.  W.  DuBose,  received  in  1911  from  Macon  Presb}'- 
tery. 

W.  T.  Wadley,  received  in  1911  from  North  Alabama 
Presby^tery. 

Chalmers  Frazer,  received  in  1911  from  Bethel  Pres- 
bytery. 

CHURCHES  OF  ATHENS  PRESBYTERY. 

Hebron. 

Homer. 

Maysville. 

Gainesville. 

Chesnut  Mountain. 

Toccoa. 

Thyatira. 

Mizpah. 

Pleasant  Groce,  dissolved  1890. 

Athens. 

Dahlonega. 

Concord,  dissolved  1896. 

Hopewell. 


400     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

Lexington,  transferred  to  Augusta  Presbytery  1906. 

New  Hope. 

Elberton. 

Bethaven,  incorporated  with  Athens  Church  1900;  re- 
organized 1910. 

Woodstock,  transferred  to  Augusta  Presbytery. 

Nacoochee. 

Clarksville. 

Blairsville,  transferred  to  the  Pres.  Cherokee  1889. 

Pleasant  Hill. 

Danielsville. 

Sandy  Creek,  dissolved  1910. 

Harmony,  dissolved  1896. 

Above  were  the   (original  churches,  1880.) 

Hartwell,  1882. 

Brasstown,  1883;   transferred  to  Cherokee  Pres.  1889. 

Hoschton,  1883. 

Harmony  Grove,  1883;  name  changed  to  Commerce 
1905. 

Carnesville,  1883. 

Bowman,  1884;   dissolved  1896. 

Mt  Hermon. 

Bowersville,  1888;  dissolved  1893.  , 

Falling  Water,  1888;   dropped  from  Roll  1899. 

Jefferson,   1888. 

Sardis  (Col),  1889;  transferred  to  Presbytery  of  Abbe- 
ville 1898. 

Lavonia,  1890. 

Mt  Zion  (Col),  1890;  transferred  to  Presbytery  of 
Abbeville  1898. 

Demorest,  1891;   dissolved  1896. 

Mt  Airy,  1891;  dissolved  1896;  reorganized  1906. 

Royston,  1891. 

Center,  1892. 

Mt  Olivet  (col),  1892;  transferred  -to  Presbytery  of 
Abbeville  1898. 

Bogart,  1893. 

Cedar  Grove  (col.),  1893;  transferred  to  Presbytery 
of  Abbeville  1898. 


THE   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   IN  GEORGIA     401 

Comer,  1894. 

Edgefield,  1896;  dissolved  1901. 
Athens  Broad  St.,  1901;   dissolved  1905. 
Nacoochee   reorganized   1902. 
Nacoochee  reorganized   1902. 
Cornelia,  organized  1905. 
M't  Airy,  organized  1906. 
Colbert,  organized  1908. 
Bethanen,  organized  1910. 

Prince  Avenue,  organized     1910;     changed  to  Central 
1912. 

Sharon,  organized  1911. 

MODERATORS  OF  THE  SYNOD  OF  GEORGIA. 
1845— Rev.  Thomas  Goulding,  D.  D.,  Macon. 
1846— Rev.  Alonzo  Church,  D.  D.,  MilledgeviUe. 
1847— Rev.  S.  K.  Talmage,  Marietta. 
1848— Rev.  Francis  Bowman,  Columbus. 
1849 — Rev.  N.  A.  Pratt,  Greensboro. 
1850 — Rev.  J.  C.  Patterson,  Augusta. 
1851 — Rev.   Jno.   B.   Ross,   Griffin. 
1852— Rev.  N.  Hoyt,  D.  D.,  Savannah. 
1853 — R€V.  J.  F.  Lanneau,  Athens. 
1854 — Rev.  W.  M.   Cunningham,  Macon. 
1855— Rev.  C.  P.  Beman,  D.  D.,  LaGrange. 
1856 — Rev.  S.  D.  Campbell,  Atlanta. 
1857— Rev.  Jno.  S.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rome. 
1858 — Rev.  John  Jones,  Augusta. 
1859— Rev.  I.  S.  K.  Axson,  D.  D.,  Jacksonville,  Fla. 
1860 — Rev.  Jno.  K.  Baker,  Columbus. 
1861— Rev.  J.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Marietta. 
1862— Rev.  S.  H.  Higgins,  D.  D.,  Macon. 
1863— Rev.  Wm.   Flinn,  Athens. 
1864 — Rev.  R.  K.  Porter,  Augusta. 
1865 — Rev.  C.  W.  Lane,  Augusta 
1866 — Rev.  David  Wills,  Savannah. 
1867 — Rev.  Donald  Eraser,  Atlanta. 
1868 — Rev.  D.  H.  Porter,  Rome. 
1869— Rev.  D.  L.  Buttolph,  Tallahassee,  Fla. 
1870— Rev.  Jno.  S.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Macon. 


402     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

1871— Rev.  A.  W.  Clisby,  Athens. 

1872 — Rev.  James  Stacy,  Albany. 

1873 — Rev.  W.  J.  MeCormick,  Newnan. 

1874— Rev.  Robt.  Irvine,  D.  D.,  Savannah. 

1875— Rev.  J.  H.  Martin,  Cuthbert. 

1876 — Rev.  J.  W.  Montgomery,  Augusta. 

1877— Rev.  J.  T.  Leftwich,  D.  D.,  Columbus. 

1878— Rev.  J.  W.  Baker,  Atlanta. 

1879 — Rev.  James  Woodrow,  D.  D.,  Gainesville. 

1880— Rev.  J.  L,  Rogers,  Thomasville. 

1881.— Rev.  T.  E.  Smith,  Decatur. 

1882— Rev.  W.  E.  Boggs,  D.  D.,  Milledgeville. 

1883 — Rev.  G.  T.  Goetchius,  Macon. 

1884— Rev.  Henry  Quigg,  D.  D.,  Marietta. 

1885— Rev.  T.  P.  Cleveland,  LaGrange. 

1886— Rev.  C.  W.  Lane,  D.  D.,  Sparta. 

1887— Rev.  G.  B.  Strickler,  D.  D.,  Rome. 

1888— Rev.  H.  F.  Hoyt,  D.  D.,  Athens. 

1889— Rev.  J.  J.  Robinson,  D.  D.,  Griffin. 

1890 — Rev.  James  Stacy,  D.  D.,  Americus. 

1891— Rev.  L.  C.  Vass,  D.  D.,  Decatur. 

1892— Rev.  W.  B.  Jennings,  Cartersville. 

1893— Elder  J.  A.  Billups,  Newnan. 

1894— Rev.  E.  H.  Barnett,  D.  D.,  Savannah. 

1895— Rev.  J.  T.  Plunket,  D.  D.,  Macon. 

1896— Rev.  S.  L.  Morris,  D.  D.,  Athens. 

1897— Rev.  J.  H.  Patton,  Rome. 

1898— Rev.  F.  H.  Gaines,  D.  D.,  Thomasville. 

1899— Rev.  J.  W.  Walden,  D.  D.,  Marietta. 

1900— Rev.  W.  G.  Woodbridge,  D.  D.,  Milledgeville. 

1901— Rev.  T.  H.  Rice,  D.  D.,  Valdosta. 

1902— Rev.  Jas.  Y.  Fair,  D.  D.,  Atlanta. 

1903— Rev.  R.  C.  Reed,  D.  D.,  Brunswick. 

1904— Rev.  D.  W.  Brannen,  Dublin. 

1905— Rev.  J.  G.  Patton,  D.  D.  Griffin. 

1906 — Rev.  J.  W.   Quarterman,  Waycross. 

1907— Rev.  C.  C.  Carson,  D.  D.,  Macon. 

1908— Rev.  R.  O.  Flinn,  Athens. 

1909— Rev.  I.  S.  McElroy,  D.  D.,  Cedartown. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA     403 

1910 — Rev.  G.  G.  Sydnor,  D.  D.,  Commerce. 

1911 — Rev.  R.  E.  Douglas,  Decatur. 
TABULAR  VIEW. 

1705 — Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  organized. 

1717 — Synod  of  Philadelphia  set  up. 

1745 — Synod  of  New  York  formed  by  a  secession. 

1758— Reunion  of  the  Synods  of  New  York  and  Phil- 
adelphia. 

1770 — Orange  Presbytery  set  off  from  Hanover. 

1784 — Presbytery  of  South  Carolina  set  off  from 
Orange. 

1788 — General  Assembly  formed  by  the  division  of  the 
Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  into  four  Synods, 
viz:  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  Philadelphia,  Virginia, 
and  the  Carolinas. 

1813 — Synod  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  formed  by 
the  division  of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas. 

1796 — Presbytery  of  Hopewell  set  up. 

1809 — Presbytery  of  Harmony  set  up. 

1821 — Presbytery  of  Georgia  set  up. 

1824 — Boundary  of  Hopewell  enlarged. 

1833 — Presbytery  of  Good  Hope  set  up. 

1834 — Name  of  Good  Hope  changed  to  Flint  River. 

1836 — Boundary  between  Flint  River  and  Hopewell 
fixed. 

1840 — Florida  Presbytery  set  up. 

1843 — Cherokee  Presbytery  set  up. 

1845 — Synod  of  Georgia  set  up. 

1866 — Flinr  River  Presbytery  divided  into  Atlanta  and 
Macon. 

1867 — Readjustment  of  boundaries,  and  change  of 
names  of  Presbyteries. 

1867 — Hopewell  changed  to  Augusta. 

1867 — Georgia  changed  to  Savannah. 

1877 — Presbytery  of  St.  Johns  set  up. 

1878 — Whole  of  Mitchell  county  put  in  Macon  Presby- 
tery. 

1879 — Athens  Presbytery  set  off  from  Augusta  Presby- 
tery. 


404     THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  GEORGIA 

1881 — Savannah  Presbytery  transferred  to  form  Synod 
of  South  Georgia  and  Florida. 

1891 — Savannah    Presbytery      restored    to      Synod    of 
Georgia. 

1892 — Wilcox  County  declared  in  Macon  Presbytery. 

1897 — Counties    of    Worth,    Colquitt,    Brooks,    Thomas 
and  Decatur  transferred  to  Macon  Presbytery. 

1904 — Oglethorpe  County  transferred  to  Athens  Pres- 
bytery. 

1907 — Jenkins   and    Screven    Counties     transferred   to 
Savannah  Presbytery. 

CLERKS  OF  THE  SYNOD. 
FIRST  STATED  CLERKS. 

Rev.   John   S.   Wilson— 1845— 1872. 

Rev.  R.   C.  Ketchum— 1872— 1876. 

Rev.  James  Stacy— 1876— 1908. 

Rev.  John  I.  Armstrong,  1908. 

Rev.  J.   G.  Herndon— 1909— 

PERMANENT   CLERKS. 

Rev.  Geo.  T.  Goetchius— 1887— 1900. 

Rev.  E.  D.  McDougall— 1901. 

Rev.  W.  A.  Nisbet— 1902— 1909. 

Rev.  G^o.  E.  Guille— 1910— 


PRESS   OF  THE   STAR 
ELBERTON,    CA 


COLUMBIA    UNIVERSITY    LIBRARIES 

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A  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  Georgia. 


Sl^m 


.  c\  n  'in/lQ 


